SUPERIOR  FISHING; 

OR  THE 

Striped  Bass,  Trout,  Slack  Bass,  and  Blue-Fish 

OF  THE  NORTHERN  STATES. 


Embracing  full  Directions  for  Dressing  Artificial  Flies  with  the 
Feathers  of  American  Birds  :  an  Account  of  a  Sport- 
ing Visit  to  Lake  Superior,  etc.,  etc. 


BY 
ROBERT  BARNWELL  ROOSEVELT, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  NEW   YORK    FISHERY  COMMISSION  ;    PRESIDENT  OF    THE 

NEW  YORK  ASSOCIATION  FOR  THE    PROTECTION  OF  .GAME  ;    AUTHOR  OF 

4iTHE    GAME    FISH    OF    NORTH     AMERICA;"     "FLORIDA,     AND     THE 

GAME  WATER  BIRrS;"  "FIVE  ACRES  TOO  MUCH,"  ETC.,  ETC. 

ILLUSTRATED. 


NEW    YORK: 

ORANGE    JUDD    COMPANY, 

751   BROADWAY. 

1884. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834,  by  the 

ORANGE    JUDD    COMPANY, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


PEEFACE. 


On  reading  the  title  of  this  book,  it  is  natural  to 
consider  what  is  "  Superior  Fishing  ?  "  Is  it  the 
good  days  when  fish  were  plentiful  to  our  utmost 
heart's  desire,  days  which  we  have  all  marked  down 
in  our  memories  never  to  be  forgotten,  as  the  ancients 
used  to  set  a  red  letter  against  them  ?  or  is  it  those 
expeditions  which  have  given  us  the  most  pleasure, 
apart  from  the  mere  question  of  the  sport  ?  Or 
finally,  should  the  designation  only  be  applied  to 
the  kind  of  fish,  and  the  skill  of  the  art  applied  in 
his  capture  ?  In  truth  it  can  hardly  be  said  to  be 
any  one  of  these,  but  rather  the  whole  combined. 
We  all  have  had  poor  fishing,  yet  an  enjoyable  time, 
or  splendid  luck  with  little  satisfaction,  and  we  have 
had  right  good  fun  taking  inferior  kinds  of  fish. 
The  trip  such  as  I  have  described  to  Lake  Superior, 
unites  in  an  eminent  degree  all  these  requisites. 
There  was  the  novelty  of  the  expedition,  for  the 
reader  will  see  that  it  was  taken  some  years  ago  when 
travel  was  more  difficult ;  the  fish  were  next  to  the 
finest  the  world  of  waters  produces,  and  they  were 
to  be  taken  in  an  abundance  which  would  have  sat- 

(v)       M842098 


VI  PREFACE. 

isfied  the  most  greedy  soul.  Again,  the  excursion 
to  Point  Judith  when  the  big  striped-bass  were 
running.  What  with  the  delicious  salt  air  of  the 
sea,  the  rugged  cliffs  which  formed  our  fishing- 
ground,  the  exercise  of  the  nicest  skill  in  casting, 
the  excitement  of  guarding  against  the  in-rolling 
breakers  which  might  at  any  moment  carry  the  an- 
gler off  his  feet,  and  above  all  the  sense  of  freedom 
with  the  limitless  ocean  in  front,  and  the  rocky  shore 
and  bare  pastures  behind.  Could  anything  be  more 
perfect  ?  Mere  numbers  may  make  what  is  techni- 
cally termed  "good  fishing,"  but  that  alone  can 
never  supply  "  Superior  Fishing,"  in  the  full  accep- 
tation of  the  words. 

The  reader  may  miss  the  noblest  of  all  the  deni- 
zens of  the  deep,  and  demand  why  the  salmon  has 
been  omitted.  Certainly  not  for  any  want  of  re- 
spect for  the  "king  of  fish,"  or  of  appreciation  for 
the  delights  of  taking  him,  which  might  not  inappro- 
priately be  termed  the  <e  supremest  fishing,"  but 
simply  for  the  conclusive  reason  that  he  does  exist 
— to  speak  from  the  position  of  the  practical  angler 
— in  the  United  States.  So  after  his  exclusion  first 
stands  the  trout,  next  to  him  the  bass,  whether  of 
the  salt  or  fresh  water,  for  it  is  hard  to  decide 
between  them,  then  the  blue-fish,  the  pike-perch, 
the  lake-trouts,  and  possibly  winding  up  with  the 
mascallonge,  for  as  to  the  grayling,  it  is  so  rare  that 
it  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  an  American  fish.  All 
these  require  the  best  of  tackle,  and  the  highest  de- 
velopment of  skill,  and  when  captured  are  a  source 


PREFACE.  VII 

of  the  proudest  satisfaction.  Below  them  it  is  more 
a  question  of  the  sportsman's  fancy  or  prejudices. 
Remember,  however,  that  in  all  manner  of  sport 
there  is  something  higher  than  the  mere  capture  of 
the  finny  prey,  the  communion  with  nature,  the 
presence  of  the  waving  trees,  and  the  babbling 
brook,  of  the  thundering  waterfall,  the  clouds  and 
the  winds  and  the  waters,  which  bring  the  human 
soul  nearer  to  the  skies  from  which  it  came,  and  to 
which  it  must  in  the  end  return.  See  to  it  then  that 
the  days  and  nights  in  the  woods,  are  days  and  nights 
of  improvement  as  well  as  of  pleasure,  that  the  sports- 
man learns  as  well  as  lives,  and  comes  out  more  of 
a  man  for  every  hour  spent  in  them.  If  tired,  and 
over-worked,  and  city-bred,  remember  too,  that  the 
game  of  a  country  is  the  best  medicine,  and  that  no 
cure  equals  the  sporting  cure. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


INDEX. 


Achigon,  71. 
Agates,  108. 
Agawa,  99. 

ascent  of,  104. 

canoes  for,  99. 

Indians  at,  92. 

mouth  of,  59. 

American  Anglers'  Book,  269. 
Anthony,  John,  151. 
Apostle  Islands,  122. 
Artificial  baits,  272. 

flics.     See  Flies. 

bait-fishing.  246. 

fly-fishing,  240. 

minnow,  273. 
Bacon,  fried,  340. 
Bass.     Sec  Striped  Bass. 
Batchawang  Bay,  G5. 

falls,  82. 

fishiuir.  79.  82. 

river/ 77,  110. 
Bayftcld,  152, 
Bsnns,  341. 
Beaver,  teeth  of,  115. 
Bergall,  160. 
Birch  canoe,  126. 
Black  bass,  10. 

where  found,  11. 

in  Luke  Superior,  71,  75. 
Blue  fish,  160,  274,  279. 
Brute  river,  122. 
Buzz,  212. 

Cakes,  griddle,  344. 
Camlet,  200. 
Cast  ing  fly,  263. 

contest.  •->(;(). 

distance,  205. 

annual  tournaments,  268. 

for  striped  bass,  139,  140. 142. 

menhaden,  139,  144,  145,   147. 

line,  201. 

shrimp  for  striped  bass,  143. 


Catch,  204. 
Chippewa,  78. 

house,  36. 
Chowder,  clam.  334. 

Scott's,  345. 

Webster's,  343. 
Chum,  153,  302. 
Chumming,  287,  302. 
Cinderbeds,  285. 
Clams,  baked,  334. 

broiled  or  fried,  335. 

chowder.  334. 

stewed.  335. 
Cleveland,  23. 
Close  time  of  fish,  187. 
Cock  a  doosh,  48. 
Coffee,  312. 
Cookery  for  sportsmen,  312. 

in  the  woods,  330. 

materials  for,  331. 
Copper  mines,  109. 
Corn  starch.  114. 

bread.  344. 
C.)t,  155. 
Cypress,  J.,  Jr.,  18. 

Deacons'  quarrel,  171. 

Dead  river,  122. 

Detour,  33. 

Detroit,  28. 

Dining  by  Americans,  29. 

Duck,'  roast,  311. 

Dyes,  240. 

yellow,  240. 

oranirc,  210. 

scarlet,  240. 

crimson,  241. 

brown.  241. 

blue.  241. 

purple,  242. 

violet,  242. 

claret,  242. 

black,  242. 


(IX) 


INDEX. 


Dyes,  lavender,  243. 
blue  dun,  243. 
green,  243. 
gray  drake,  243. 
gut,  244,  245. 

Eggs,  fried,  poached,  or  scrambled, 
335. 

Esox  boreus,  77. 

Feathers,  preserving,  213. 

for  fly-making,  201. 
Fish,  protection  of,  183. 

close  time,  187. 

baked,  338. 

boiled,  336. 

broiled,  337. 

chowder,  334. 

fried,  337. 

potted,  342. 

stewed,  338. 

diminution  of,  184,  185. 

importance  as  food.  184. 

spawning  season,  187,  189. 
Fisheries,  value,  190. 
Fishing  grounds,  15,  16. 
Flies  of  Lake  Superior,  natural,  117. 

salmon,  202. 

salmon  from  Scrope,  215. 

trout,  210,  211. 
Flies,  215. 

alder,  231. 

August  dun,  235. 

black  gnat,  228. 

black  palmer,  238. 

blue  bottle,  237. 

blue  dun,  220. 

brown  palmer,  238. 

cinnamon  dun.  236. 
fly.  236. 

cow  dung.  222. 

dark  mackerel,  232. 

down  head  fly,  228. 

fern  fly,  230. 

grannom  Or  green  tail.  225. 

gold-eyed  gauze  wing.  233. 

gravel  bed  or  spider.  225. 

great  red  spinner,  223. 

great  dark  drone,  221. 

green  drake.  231. 

hazel  fly,  232. 

iron  blue  dun,  226. 

JiMiny  spinner,  227. 

Kinmont  Willie,  215. 

Lady  of  Mertoun,  215. 

little  dark  spinner,  229. 
yellow  May  duu,  228. 


Flies,  March  brown,  223. 

meg  with  the  muckle  mouth. 

216. 

meg  in  her  braws.  216. 
Michael  Scott,  216. 
oak  fly,  228. 
orange  fly,  235. 
peacock  fly,  222. 
projecting  bodies,  217. 
red  ant,  234. 
red  palmer,  237. 
red  spinner,  220. 
Ronald's  flics,  219. 
sailor  and  soldier,  230. 
sand  fly,  224. 
silver  horns,  234. 
stone  fly,  224. 
toppy,  215. 
turkey  brown,  229. 
water  cricket,  221. 
wren  tail  233. 
yellow  dun,  226. 

sally,  230. 
Floss  silk,  199. 
Fly-book,  262. 

casting.    Sec  Casting  Fly. 
making,  196. 

bodies,  199. 

buzz  flics,  212. 
'  catch,  204. 

double  hackles,  210. 

gut  loop,  202. 

hackles,  200,  209. 

hooks,  selection,  197. 

Hyde's  directions,  218. 

materials,  198. 199,  200,  201. 

materials   preserving,  313. 

midge  flies,  213. 

palmers,  213. 

projecting  bodies,  217. 

salmon.  202. 

stop.  204. 

tag,  203. 

lip,  203. 

trout,  210,  211. 

tying  si  Ik.  199,  212. 

wax.  214,  W8.  199,  213. 

wings,  201,  205,  209. 
mixed,  208 

Garden  river,  121. 
General  remarks,  9. 
Goulais  Bay,  61. 
Grand  Island,  122. 
Gravy.  341. 

Gros  Cap,  53,  55,  61, 116. 
Griddle  cakes,  344. 


INDEX. 


Guides,  Alexis  Biron,  40. 

Joseph  Le  Sayre,  40. 
Gut,  198. 

loop,  202. 

Harmony  river,  G7,  112. 

falls,  68. 

upper  falls,  75. 
Herring  lake.  47. 
Hook?,  selection  of,  197. 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  CO. 

Jce  drift,  55. 

Isle  aux  Arables,  55. 

Judith  Point.    Sec  Point  Judith. 
Kinnikinick,  58. 

Labrax  Lineatuf,  138. 
Lake  Huron,  32. 

George.  23. 

trout,  136,  275. 

spawning  season,  137. 

Liiko  Superior,  Chun.  I.,  22. 

II.,  38. 

III.,  60. 

IV.,  77. 

V.,  102. 

flies  for,  artificial.  40,  128. 

flies  of,  natural.  117. 

north  shore,  122. 

resume,  120. 

return  from.  118. 

route  to,  121. 

tackle  lor.  128. 

trout  of,  124. 

map,  130. 

L'anse  aux  C'r'jxs,  88. 
Leader.  261. 
Lines,  how  prepared,  139. 

for  striped  bass,  147. 
Lines,  260. 

Liver,  how  cooked.  "14. 
Lobsters,  338. 

Mackinaw  salmon.  See  Namaycush. 

Maine,  14. 

Mamainue,  88,  110. 

Maple  Island,  65. 

Marquette.  121. 

Meats,  baked,  boiled,  broiled,  and 

stewed.  340. 
tough,  342. 

Menhaden  bait,  how  prepared,  153. 
Mid-re  flies,  213. 
Mines,  117. 


Mohair.  199. 
Mount  Kineo,  101. 

Namacgoose,  122. 
Namaycush.  62. 

baits,  134. 

characteristics,  135. 

color,  132. 

localities.  134. 

season  s,  133. 

spawning.  135. 
Nepecgon,  124,  91. 

Oy&ters,  broiled,  fried,  or  roasted, 
333. 

scolloped.  &34. 

stewed,  332. 
Omelet,  336. 

Palmers,  213. 
Pancake  Bay,  88. 
Partridges,  111. 
Pedro  Don.  22. 

baggage,  83. 

conversation  in  Chippewn,  94. 

disquisition  on  liquors,  24. 

canoeing,  102. 

chin:),  84. 

Chippewa  house,  36. 

refusal  to  get  up,  112. 

sugar,  80. 

table  cloths,  86 
Pickerel  of  Lake  Superior,  77. 
Pictured  rocks,  122. 
Pike-perch,  10. 

where  found,  10. 

cut,  1(5. 
Poaching.  19-2. 

punishment  for.  193. 
Point  Judith,  150. 

bine-fish,  at  160. 

porgee  at,  160. 

snipe  at,  159. 

striped  bass  at,  151. 
Pointe  aux  Pins,  53. 

C/ttnes.  53. 

Mine*.  109. 
Potatoes,  3:3!). 
Port  Huron,  29, 
Pork,  fried,  340. 
Protection  of  fish,  183. 
Potomac.  139,  245. 
Punch,  arrack,  346. 

champagne,  347. 

Frank  Forester's,  347. 

fish  house,  346. 

nondescript,  347. 


XII 


INDEX. 


Punch,  pine-apple,  346. 
Porto-Rico,  347. 
regal,  347. 

Recipes   from  "Turf,    Field    and 

Farm,  316. 
Reels,  255. 

for  bass,  146. 

welding,  257. 
Reel-bands,  255. 
Rice,  296. 
Rock-fish,  138. 
Roast  birds,  341. 
Rods,  246. 

for  salmon,  246. 

for  trout,  249. 

rings  for,  255. 
Rod  ferrules,  253. 

how  separated,  254. 

Sal/no  amet/iystus.       See  Namay- 
cush. 

conjinfe.136. 

siscowet,  1:38. 
Salmon,  boiled,  342. 

fishing  with  trout  rod,  251. 

flies  from  Scropc,  215. 

fly-making,  202. 

kippered,  343. 

irout.    See  Mamaycush,  136. 
SaultSte.  Marie,  34. 

fish  ing  at,  42. 

little  rapids,  50. 
rapids,  42. 

trout  pond  at,  45. 
Silk  for  tyinirflu's.  199,212. 
Siskawitz,  63,  138. 
Slick,  153. 
Smoked  beef,  291. 
Snapping  mackerel,  274. 
Soups,  340. 
South  Bay.  161,  280. 
Spanish  Mackerel.  308. 
Spinning  tackle.  275. 
Sport mnnship,  19,  20. 
Squid.  274. 
Stateroom,  24. 
Ste.  Marie  river,  33. 


Stop,  204. 

Striking  trout,  265. 
Striped  bass,  138,  274. 

baits,  149. 

casting  menhaden,  139, 144, 147. 

eel  skin,  153. 

fishing  adventure,  157. 

fly-lishing,  139,  140, 142. 

hooks  for,  154. 

implements  for  catching,   146, 
155. 

localities,  148. 

seasons.  151,  152. 

tackle,  for,  142. 
Superior  fishing,  21. 
Superior,  Lake.  See  Lake  Superior. 

Tag,  203. 
Thumb-stall,  155. 
Tinsel,  199. 
Tip,  203. 
Trout,  13. 

cooked  on  first  principles,  343. 

Lake  Superior,  14. 

Maine,  14. 

presorvinir,  90. 

Lake.    See  Lake  trout. 

flies  210. 

Trtiite  du  Lac.    See  Namaycnsh. 
Tying  Silk,  199,  212. 
Trollinir  spoons,  275. 

Buels,  276. 

Vails,  149. 
Vegetables,  342. 
Veil,  21. 
Venison  stc\v,  348. 

Wax,  198.  199,  213. 

sofr,  214. 
Wajack,  97. 
White-fish,  12. 

how  captured,  46. 

Point,  121. 

bait,  296. 
Wings,  201,  205,  209. 

mixed,  208. 
Worsted,  199. 


SUPERIOR  FISHING. 


GENERAL   REMARKS. 

ALTHOUGH  the  shores  of  our  northern  coasts,  both 
along  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  Oceans,  abound  in 
numberless  varieties  of  the  finny  tribe,  and  myriads 
of  striped  bass,  cod,  mackerel,  tautog,  herring,  shad 
and  blue-fish  in  the  Northern  States,  and  salmon, 
sea-trout,  and  capelin  in  the  British  Provinces,  visit 
us  in  their  season ;  the  Middle  States,  unless  in  a 
few  limited  localities,  produce  few  varieties,  and 
generally  inferior  kinds  of  fish.  Throughout  the 
Valley  of  the  Ohio,  and  that  vast  region  west  of 
Pennsylvania,  south  of  thegreat  lakes  and  Michigan, 
stretching  westward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
northward  to  th-3  Canadian  boundary,  as  well  as  the 
centre  of  British  America  not  communicating  im- 
mediately with  the  sea  or  the  immense  bays  of  the 
Arctic  Territory,  there  can  be  found  but  two,  or  at 
the  most  three  kinds  of  fish  that  are  worthy  of  the 
attention  of  the  epicure  or  the  sportsman.  It  is  true 
that  savage  pickerel,  immense  mascallonge,  and  gi- 
gantic cat-fish  lie  in  wait  amid  long  weeds,  and  em- 


10  GENERAL   REMARKS. 

bedded  in  deep  mud,  a  terror  to  their  smaller 
brethren  and  a  prize  to  the  unrefined  fisherman  who 
looks  to  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  their  heavy 
carcases ;  and  that  other  coarse  and  ill-shapen  crea- 
tures are  taken  in  the  net ;  but  the  only  fishes  that 
the  true  angler  can  regard  as  objects  of  sport  are 
the  pike-perch,  and  the  black  bass. 

The  pike-perch,  which  is  variously  termed  the 
pickerel,  pike  of  the  lakes,  glass-eye,  big-eyed  pike, 
and  pickering,  is  taken  in  immense  numbers  in  Lakes 
Erie  and  Huron,  was  formerly  numerous  in  the 
Ohio,  and  inhabits  to  a  greater  or  less  degree  the 
ponds  or  sluggish  waters  of  that  section.  It  is  a 
savage  fish,  biting  voraciously  at  bait  or  trolling- 
tackle,  and  where  better  fish  are  scarce,  is  regarded 
as  a  piscatory  delicacy ;  but  its  play  is  weak  and 
dull,  and  as  it  is  taken  with  strong  tackle,  its  capture 
requires  neither  the  skill  nor  experience  that  lend 
the  principal  charm  to  angling  ;  and  by  comparison 
with  sea-fish,  its  flavor  is  coarse. 

Captured  mainly  with  the  all-devouring  net,  it  is 
salted  and  packed  for  winter  use  as  our  cod  or 
mackerel  are  preserved,  and  constitutes  at  Sandusky 
and  some  other  places  an  important  object  of  com- 
merce. 

The  black  bass,  a  fish  that,  from  its  abundance  in 
their  country,  Americans  may  claim  as  peculiarly 
their  own ;  a  fish  that  is  inferior  only  to  the  salmon 
and  trout,  if  even  to  the  latter ;  that  requires  the 
best  of  tackle  and  skill  in  its  inveiglement,  and  exhi- 
bits courage  and  game  qualities  of  the  highest  order— 


GENERAL  REMARKS.  11 

fairly  swarms  in  the  upper  central  portion  of  North 
America. 

In  all  the  lakes,  large  and  small,  that  dimple  the 
rugged  surface  of  Canada;  in  the  sheets  of  pure 
water  embosomed  in  the  gentle  swells  of  the  west- 
ern prairies ;  in  those  inland  seas  that  are  enveloped 
by  our  extensive  territory ;  and  in  the  numerous 
rivers  of  the  west — the  black  bass  is  found  by  his 
ardent  admirers. 

From  the  confines  of  Labrador,  throughout  the 
Canadas,  in  British  America,  the  Western  States, 
and  far  beyond  the  Mississippi,  there  is  scarcely  a 
stretch  of  water,  whether  it  be  the  rapids  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  the  sluggish  bays  of  Lakes  Ontario  and 
Erie,  the  cold  depths  of  Huron  and  Superior,  or  the 
lakelets  of  the  interior,  that  does  not  abound  with 
this  splendid  fish. 

We  find  his  brother,  or  brother-in-law,  the  large- 
mouth  black  bass,  lazy,  ugly,  and  ill-flavored  by 
comparison,  but  yet  not  to  be  despised  on  hook  or 
table.  He  looks  with  little  favor  on  the  artificial 
fly  when  cast  at  him  in  winning  way,  but  takes  the 
trolling  spoon  with  amiable  avidity. 

The  black  bass  has  been  introduced  into  the  Middle 
States  ;  and  finding  many  of  the  clear,  transparent, 
rocky,  eastern  ponds  admirably  adapted  to  his  health 
and  propagation,  he  is  populating  waters  that  have 
heretofore  produced  little  besides  perch  and  sun- 
fish.  By  a  fortunate  provision  of  nature,  most  ponds 
that  are  not  suited  to  trout  are  favorable  to  black 
bass  ;  and  being  a  hardy  fish,  able  to  endure  long 


12  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

journeys,  he  is  readily  transported  from  place  tc 
place.  The  time  will  soon  come  when  the  worthless 
yellow  perch  will  be  supplanted  by  his  noble  con- 
gener. 

He  has  been  imported  even  into  that  semi-detached 
point  of  N"ew  England,  Cape  Cod,  and  thrives  won- 
derfully in  Lake  Mahopac,  adding  much  to  the  at- 
tractions of  that  favorite  watering-place  of  fashion- 
jaded  New  Yorkers,  and  is  being  generally  distri- 
buted among  his  eastern  friends.     If  not  exposed  to 
a  hot  sun,  he  may  be  carried  a  long  distance  out  of 
water,  and  will  often  revive  when  apparently  the 
last  spark  of  vitality  is  extinct.  But  his  natural  home 
is  north  and  west  of  the  Middle  and  Eastern  States ; 
there  his  name  is  legion,  his  fame  deservedly  great, 
and  he  may  be  almost  said  to  be  the  one  game  fish. 
It  is  true  that  among  epicures  the  famous  white 
fish  of  Lakes  Huron  and  Superior,  which  is   also 
found  in  a  more  flabby  condition  in  Erie  and  Onta- 
rio, ranks  before  either  the  black  bass  or  the  pike- 
perch  ;  but  as  he  is  deceived  by  neither  decoy  nor 
bait,  he  is  not  worthy  of  the  fisherman's  regard. 
To  be  tasted  in  perfection,  the  white  fish  must  be 
eaten  fresh  from  the  rapids  of  Lake  Superior,  where, 
lying  in  the  eddy  below  some  immovable  rock,  he  is 
taken  by  the  sharp-eyed  Indian  in  the  long-handled 
net  from  out  the  foaming  water,  brought  immedi- 
ately to  land,  cooked  and  placed  steaming  hot  upon 
the  table  before  he  has  lost  the  delicious  freshness 
of  his  native  element. 

The  black  bass,  however,  is  in  the  west  what  the 


GENERAL  REMARKS.  13 

trout  is  in  our  eastern  brooks — the  principal  source 
of  the  angler's  enjoyment. 

The  rivers  that  empty  into  Hudson's  Bay  are 
ascended  by  the  migratory  salmon,  but  from  their 
peculiar  character  do  not  furnish  fly-fishing  except 
for  trout.  The  latter  are  found  in  Lake  Superior 
and  the  streams  that  empty  into  it,  in  the  tribu- 
taries of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  and  in  the  brooks  of 
the  Allcghany  and  Rocky  Mountains ;  but  are  not 
generally  distributed  through  the  weedy  streams  of 
the  Western  States. 

The  flat  expanse  of  Ohio  is  not  favorable  to  the 
existence  of  that  lover  of  the  noisy  brook  and  tum- 
bling torrent;  and  streams  flowing  through  marl 
deposits  are  supposed  not  to  furnish  proper  food ;  so 
that  the  beauty  that  we  in  our  eastern  homes  entice 
from  every  stream  or  brooklet  from  Maine  to  Penn- 
sylvania, is  found  rarely,  if  at  all,  in  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Ohio,  western  Kentucky,  and  southern  Wisconsin ; 
but  in  the  cool  depths  of  Lake  Superior  and  its 
amber-hued  tributaries  he  absolutely  swarms. 

In  the  Upper  Mississippi  there  are  black  bass  and 
mascallonge ;  in  the  brooks  that,  rising  amid  the 
hills  of  that  region,  swell  its  current,  there  are  trout ; 
in  neighboring  lakes  black  bass  and  perch  abound  ; 
among  the  Rocky  Mountains  are  found  several  spe- 
cies of  trout;  and  in  the  waters  of  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia salmon  are  plentiful. 

Although  the  largest  trout  in  the  United  States 
are  taken  in  Maine,  in  the  Kangeley  region,  the 
greatest  number  and  the  most  vigorous  are  found  in 


14  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

Lake  Superior,  where  fish  of  two  pounds  weight 
can  be  captured  to  the  heart's  content.  The  fish  of 
Maine  are  of  rich  and  strong  color,  while  those  of 
Lake  Superior  have  the  bright  sides  and  delicate 
tints  of  the  sea-trout.  All  brook  trout,  however — • 
the  genuine  salmo  fontinalis — have  the  peculiar 
bright  vermilion  specks  that  distinguish  them  from 
kindred  species,  and  these  are  distinctly  visible  upon 
the  silver  sides  of  the  fish  of  Lake  Superior. 

The  innumerable  rivers  of  the  State  of  Maine  are 
interwoven  together  in  such  a  manner  that  the  fish- 
erman, urging  his  silent  canoe  with  dripping  paddle 
or  stout  pole,  gliding  beneath  the  arching  boughs 
that  shade  in  gloom  the  narrow  stream,  or  pushing 
boldly  into  the  open  lakes,  can  pass  from  one  region 
of  waters  to  another,  and,  making  short  portages, 
explore  in  a  continuous  trip  rivers  that  run  north, 
east,  and  west.  To  the  true  sportsman,  armed  with 
pliant  rod  and  feathered  hook  for  the  seduction  of 
the  merry  trout,  and  trusty  rifle  loaded  with  heavy 
ball  for  the  destruction  of  the  lordly  moose,  nothing 
surpasses  the  intense  enjoyment  of  wandering  amid 
the  forest  wilds  from  river  to  river,  threading  the 
uninhabited  groves,  or  following  the  unknown  and 
unnamed  stream,  and  leaving  to  whim  or  chance,  or 
the  influence  of  luck,  to  determine  his  final  destina- 
tion. Alone  with  his  single  guide  he  is  content; 
accompanied  by  a  friend,  still  better  pleased ;  in  a 
party  of  associates  perfectly  happy ;  blessed  by  the 
society  of  ladies — real  ladies  and  true  wood  nymphs 
— he  is  in  Elysium. 


GENERAL  REMARKS.  15 

Or,  he  may  coast  the  shores  of  our  western 
lakes,  where  the  bright  sun  sparkles  on  the  rippling 
surface,  and  only  seek  the  shade  upon  the  land  to 
avoid  its  heat ;  there  he  may  kill  the  black  bass,  the 
mascallonge,  and  in  Lake  Superior  the  trout ;  flee- 
ing from  the  approaching  storm  to  some  sheltered 
nook,  he  partakes  the  inland  ocean's  varying 
moods,  passing  the  days  upon  its  surface  and  the 
nights  amid  the  neighboring  forests;  stopping  oc- 
casionally to  use  the  light  shot-gun  and  kill  a  few 
woodcock  or  partridges,  and  now  and  then  slaying  a 
duck  upon  the  route. 

In  the  wide  world  there  is  no  other  country  so 
propitious  to  the  fisherman  as  the  northern  part  of 
North  America ;  it  furnishes  every  variety  of  sport, 
from  the  delicate  refined  fishing  of  the  transparent 
ponds  and  over-fished  trout-preserves  of  Long  Island, 
to  the  coarser  and  easier  sport  of  killing  with  large 
flies  and  heavy  rods  the  countless  hosts  of  Maine, 
the  Labrador  coast,  or  Lake  Superior;  from  the 
casting  the  menhaden  bait  into  the  boisterous  ocean 
for  striped  bass,  to  the  trolling  amid  the  Thousand 
Isles  of  the  St.  Lawrence  for  the  ugly  and  powerful 
mascallonge ;  from  the  capture  of  the  noble  salmon 
to  that  of  the  spirited  black  bass.  In  fact,  there  is 
'so  much  and  so  good  fishing  everywhere,  that  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  give  a  preference  or  lay  out  any  specific 
directions.  You  may  go  by  railroad  to  Capo  Vin- 
cent, and  thence  by  steamboat  to  Clayton  or  Alexan- 
dria bay,  and  fish  the  St.  Lawrence;  or  take  the 
ocean  steamer  from  Boston  to  Eastport,  and  thence 


16  GENERAL   REMARKS. 

to  Calais,  and  explore  the  St.  Croix  River  for  land- 
locked salmon  ;  or  continue  on  to  St.  John,  and  by  rail- 
-ad  and  stage  or  steamer  to  the  Nipisiquit,  and  kill 
the  true  salmon — salmo  solar — k?ng  of  fish  ;  or  you 
may  take  the  railroad  from  Boston  to  Bethel  and 
cross  by  stage  into  the  Umbagog  region  of  Maine, 
and  visit  its  innumerable  lakes  with  unpronouncea- 
ble names,  or  may  embark  on  the  steamboat  at 
Montreal,  and  wake  up,  after  two  days'  tranquil 
voyage,  at  the  river  Sagaunay,  the  outlet  of  Lake 
St.  John ;  or  you  may  stop  anywhere  on  any  of 
these  routes,  even  out  in  the  ocean,  on  the  way  to 
New  Brunswick,  if  you  please,  where  there  are  pol- 
lock or  haddock,  and  have  good  fishing.  There  is 
excellent  fishing  close  to  New  York  city,  and  better 
still  the  farther  you  recede  from  it. 

It  is  true  the  fisherman  will  not  find  those  refined 
comforts  that  the  more  cultivated  and  densely  peo- 
pled districts  of  Europe  afford  ;  but  he  will  receive 
a  hearty  welcome  and  wholesome  entertainment  at 
the  country  tavern  or  the  farmer's  house.  If,  how- 
ever, he  have  youth  and  tolerable  hardihood,  he 
should  look  for  no  such  reception  ;  but,  carrying  his 
canvas-home,  enjoy  the  luxury  of  unrestrained  inde- 
pendence, kill  and  cook  his  own  dinner,  and  sleep  in 
the  pure  air  of  the  wilderness.  He  will  have  to  sur- 
render a  few  necessaries  that  habit  has  made  so,  but 
he  will  be  repaid  a  thousandfold  by  increased  hap- 
piness and  improved  health  ;  he  will  not  have  ser- 
vants to  wait  on  him,  nor  desserts  or  wines  to  pamper 
him;  but  he  will  have  his  guide  to  instruct,  and 


GENERAL   REMARKS.  17 

abundant  food  to  support  him.  He  will  acquire  an 
insight  into  the  mystery  of  woodcraft,  and  learn  a 
few  of  its  wonders  and  delights ;  he  will  come  to 
rely  upon  his  own  stout  muscles  and  sharp  eyes, 
and  return  to  the  city  a  renovated  being.  Or,  if 
he  have  sufficient  enthusiasm  and  high  courage,  he 
may  cast  aside  all  trammels,  and  taking  his  rifle  or 
rod,  salt  pork,  and  hard  bread,  strike  off  into  the 
trackless  forest  with  no  covering  to  shield  him  from 
the  rain  or  sun,  no  floating  thing  of  beauty  to  bear 
him  in  its  bosom  over  the  water,  no  store  of  pro- 
visions to  fall  back  upon  if  fish  do  not  rise  and  the 
bullet  flies  astray ;  but  bearing  bravely  up  against 
heat  and  weariness,  sleeping,  amid  the  rain  and 
storm,  wrapped  in  the  heavy  coat,  catching  or  kill- 
ing game  sufficient  for  daily  food,  or  going  hungry 
till  better  luck  shall  interpose.  This,  indeed,  is 
manhood ;  and  our  country,  with  its  vast  solitudes, 
its  unbroken  forests,  its  network  of  water-courses, 
its  endless  chains  of  lakes,  its  vast  mountains  and 
limitless  prairies,  offers  inducements  for  such  a  life 
that  no  other  land  possesses. 

As  pretty  full  instructions  have  been  given  in  the 
Game  Fish  of  North  America  to  aid  the  learner  in 
commencing  his  experiences  of  camp  life,  the  reader 
who  desires  such  information  is  referred  to  that  work  ; 
but  whether  he  shall  go  into  the  solitary  wilderness, 
away  from  man  and  human  habitation,  or  can  only 
tear  himself  from  business  for  a  few  hours  for  a  fly- 
ing visit  to  some  quiet  preserve  near  the  bustling 
dty,  he  should  never  forget  that  he  is  a  sportsman, 


18  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

and  owes  the  duties  of  moderation,  humanity,  pa- 
tience, and  kindness  under  all  circumstances ;  that 
he  cannot  slaughter  or  poach ;  and  that,  from  his  pro- 
fession, he  should  ever  be  a  gentleman.  He  should 
never  forget  the  words  of  that  most  amiable  of  our 
fraternity — the  splendid  shot,  the  skilful  angler,  the 
genial  companion,  and  the  graceful  writer,  now  long 
since  gathered  to  his  final  resting-place — who  was 
known  to  the  public  under  the  name  of  J.  Cypress, 
Jr.: 

"  No  genuine  piscator  ever  tabernacled  at  Fire- 
place or  Stump-pond  who  could  not  exhibit  proofs 
of  great  natural  delicacy  and  strength  of  apprehen- 
sion— I  mean  of  things  in  general,  including  fish. 
But  the  vis  vivida  animi,  the  os  magna  sonans,  the 
manus  mentis,  the  divine  rapture  of  the  seduction 
of  a  trout,  how  few  have  known  the  apotheosis ! 
The  creative  power  of  genius  can  make  a  feather- 
fly  live,  and  move,  and  have  being ;  and  a  wisely 
stricken  fish  gives  up  the  ghost  in  transports.  That 
puts  me  in  mind  of  a  story  of  Ned  Locus.  Ned 
swears  that  he  once  threw  a  fly  so  far  and  delicately 
and  suspendedly,  that  just  as  it  was  dropping  upon 
the  water,  after  lying  a  moment  in  the  scarcely 
moving  air  as  though  it  knew  no  law  of  gravity, 
it  actually  took  life  and  wings,  and  would  have 
flown  away  but  that  an  old  four-pounder,  seeing  it 
start,  sprang  and  jumped  at  it  full  a  foot  out  of  his 
element,  and  changed  the  course  of  the  insect's  tra- 
vel from  the  upper  air  to  the  bottom  of  his  throat. 
That  is  one  of  Ned's,  and  I  do  not  guarantee  it,  but 


GENERAL   REMARKS.  19 

such  a  thing  might  be.  Insects  are  called  into 
being  in  a  variety  of  mysterious  ways,  as  all  the 
world  knows  ;  for  instance,  the  animalcula  that 
appear  in  the  neighborhood  of  departed  horses ; 
and,  as  Ned  says,  if  death  can  create  life,  what  is 
the  reason  a  smart  man  can't  ?  Good  fishermen  are 
generally  great  lawyers  ;  ecce  signa,  Patrick  Henry 
and  Daniel  Webster.  I  have  known  this  rule,  how- 
ever, to  have  exceptions.  But  the  true  sportsman 
is  always  at  least  a  man  of  genius  and  an  honest 
man.  I  have  either  read  or  heard  some  one  say, 
and  I  am  sure  it  is  the  fact,  that  there  never  was  an 
instance  of  a  sincere  lover  of  a  dog,  gun,  and  rod 
being  sent  to  bridewell  or  penitentiary  ....  If  I 
were  governor  and  knew  a  case,  I  would  exert  the 
pardoning  power  without  making  any  inquiry.  I 
should  determine  without  waiting  to  hear  a  single 
fact  that  the  man  was  convicted  by  means  of  perjury. 
There  is  a  plain  reason  for  all  this.  A  genuine 
sportsman  must  possess  a  combination  of  virtues 
which  will  fill  him  so  full  that  no  room  can  be  left 
for  sin  to  squeeze  in.  He  must  b«  an  early  riser — 
to  be  which  is  the  beginning  of  all  virtue — ambitious, 
temperate,  prudent,  patient  of  toil,  fatigue,  and  dis- 
appointment ;  courageous,  watchful,  intent  upon  his 
business;  always  ready,  confident,  cool;  kind  to  his 
dog,  civil  to  the  girls,  and  courteous  to  his  brother 
sportsmen." 

To  constitute  a  sportsman,  therefore,  it  is  not  suf- 
ficient merely  to  be  able  to  catch  fish ;  although  a 
very  important  element  in  the  angler's  composition, 


20  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

it  is  not  all  that  is  required,  nor  will  it  alone  entitle 
him  to  full  fellowship  with  the  fraternity.  He  must 
have  higher  aspirations  and  nobler  gifts ;  he  must 
look  beyond  the  mere  result  to  the  mode  of  effect- 
ing it,  regarding,  perhaps,  the  means  more  than  the 
end.  Any  unfair  trick  or  mean  advantage  he  must 
never  take,  even  to  fill  a  vacant  creel  or  empty 
pocket ;  he  must  never  slay  the  crouching  bevy, 
huddled  in  terror  before  his  pointer's  nose;  he 
must  never  resort  to  the  grapple  or  the  noose,  no 
matter  how  provokingly  the  wary  trout,  lying  mo- 
tionless in  the  clear  water,  may  disdain  his  choicest 
flies;  and,  when  the  nature  of  the  fish  pursued 
induces  it  to  accept  the  imitation,  he  can  use  the 
natural  bait,  only  in  extreme  cases  and  at  great  risk 
to  his  reputation.  The  noblest  of  fish,  the  mighty 
salmon,  refuses  bait  utterly,  and  only  with  the  most 
artistic  tackle  and  the  greatest  skill  can  he  be 
taken ;  the  trout,  which  ranks  second  to  the  salmon, 
demands  an  almost  equal  perfection  of  both,  and  in 
his  true  season,  the  genial  days  of  spring  and  sum- 
mer, scorns  every  allurement  but  the  tempting  fly. 
The  black  bass  prefers  the  fly,  but  will  take  the 
trolling-spoon,  and  even  bait,  at  all  seasons ;  whereas 
the  fish  of  lesser  station  give  a  preference  to  bait,  or 
accept  it  alone.  This  order  of  precedence  suffici- 
ently proves  what  every  thorough  sportsman  will 
endorse — that  bait-fishing,  although  an  art  of  intri- 
cacy and  difficulty,  is  altogether  inferior  to  the 
science  of  fly-fishing  ;  and  that  the  man  who  merely 
follows  it  without  higher  aspiration,  and  uses  a 


GENERAL   REMARKS.  21 

worm  equally  for  the  beautiful  trout  and  the  hideous 
cat-fish,  cannot  claim  to  be  a  sportsman.  Occasion- 
ally there  is  a  person  who  will  use  the  bait  with 
wonderful  ability,  and  entice  the  reluctant  fish 
against  their  will  to  an  unwished-for  meal ;  but  he 
never  experiences  the  higher  pleasures  of  his  pur- 
suit— his  enjoyment  in  making  a  neat  and  killing  fly, 
his  satisfaction  at  its  success,  his  delight  in  putting 
it  properly  upon  the  water,  and  his  gratification 
when  with  it  and  his  frail  tackle  he  shall  have  over- 
come the  fierce  and  stubborn  prey.  Therefore  to 
his  many  other  qualities,  the  true  sportsman  must 
add  a  thorough  knowledge  of  fly-fishing,  and  only 
can  the  use  of  artificial  fish  or  fly,  or  casting  the 
menhaden  bait  for  bass,  be  termed  SUPERIOR  FISHIXG. 


Tit?.   FIRST    VF.tL. 


22  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 


CHAPTER    I. 

LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

Dox  PEDRO  is  descended  from  one  of  what  we  in 
our  young  country  call  the  old  and  highly-respecta- 
ble families,  and  having  been  nurtured  amid  the 
refinements  and  luxuries  of  life,  is  one  of  the  most 
gentlemanly  men  imaginable.  At  the  public  rooms 
of  a  hotel,  in  the  halls,  on  the  piazza,  in  the  saloon 
of  a  steamboat,  he  can  never  pass  a  lady,  though  she 
be  a  perfect  stranger,  without  in  the  most  defer- 
ential manner  removing  his  hat.  To  this  reverence 
for  the  fair  sex  he  adds  an  easy  elegance  towards 
his  own,  that  at  once  commands  attention  and 
respect. 

Never  having  taken  an  active  share  in  the  world's 
affairs,  his  abilities,  which  are  far  above  the  average, 
have  lain  dormant  or  run  to  criticising  art  or  com- 
mitting poetry ;  and  he  is  rather  apt  to  discuss  very 
small  matters  with  a  minuteness  and  persistency 
that  important  ones  scarcely  merit. 

He  had  travelled  Europe,  of  course,  had  shot 
quail  and  taken  trout  in  Long  Island,  fired  at  croco- 
diles on  the  Nile  and  jackals  in  the  desert ;  and 
although  probably  the  greatest  exposure  of  his  life 
had  been  damp  sheets  at  a  country  inn,  and  his 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  23 

severest  hardship  the  finding  liis  claret  sour  or 
being  compelled  twice  in  one  day  to  eat  of  the  same 
kind  of  game,  he  was  now  seized  with  a  sporting 
mania,  and  determined  to  rough  it  in  the  woods. 
An  unsafe  companion,  perhaps,  the  reader  may 
think;  but  it  is  not  always  the  roughest  men  who 
have  the  most  pluck,  nor  those  accustomed  to  the 
commonest  fare  who  grumble  the  least  when  offered 
still  coarser,  and  there  is  truth  in  the  words  of  wor- 
thy Tom  Draw  :  "  Give  me  a  raal  gentleman,  one 
as  sleeps  soft  and  eats  high,  and  drinks  highest 
kind,  to  stand  roughing  it." 

So  we  discussed  matters  over  a  comfortable  din- 
ner, with  the  aid  of  a  couple  of  bottles  of  claret, 
one  of  champagne,  and  a  little  brandy ;  and  Don 
concluded  he  would  as  lief  eat  salt  pork  as  wood- 
cock, and  ship  biscuit  as  French  rolls.  He  was 
anxious  to  examine  my  list  of  camp  articles,  and  was 
quite  ready  to  do  away  with  a  large  part  of  them ; 
but  finally  determined  to  leave  that  matter  to  me, 
holding  me  strictly  responsible  for  carrying  any 
unnecessary  effeminate  luxuries.  The  discussion 
was  not  a  short  one,  but  this  happy  decision  being 
arrived  at,  I  was  perfectly  satisfied. 

We  met  by  appointment  a  few  days  later  at  a 
leading  house,  in  that  thriving,  active  city  of  Cleve- 
land, which  seems  to  be  drawing  to  itself  the  busi- 
ness of  the  other  cities  of  Lake  Erie,  and,  cannibal- 
like,  to  be  growing  fat  on  their  exhausted  lives.  It 
is  a  thoroughly  American  city,  and,  like  all  our 
cities,  doubtless  has  the  handsomest  street  in 


24:  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

the  world,  for  so  we  were  assured  by  the  citi- 
zens. 

A  large  part  of  the  trade  of  Cleveland  is  with  the 
mines  of  Lake  Superior,  and  steamers  leave  almost 
daily  for  that  region,  carrying  a  miscellaneous  as- 
sortment of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  returning 
laden  with  copper  and  iron  ore.  "Not  content,  how- 
ever, with  this  unexciting  freight,  these  vessels  pro- 
pose to  carry  excursion  parties  round  the  lakes,  and 
are  all,  if  their  advertisements  are  to  be  believed, 
supplied  with  brass  bands,  and  every  luxury  of  the 
season. 

In  Cleveland  we  intended  to  purchase  such  ardent 
spirits  as  we  might  require,  and  Don  commenced  : 

"  Now  as  to  this  question  of  liquor,  I  should  like 
to  have  your  views  concerning  kind  and  quantity?" 

"  Well,  I  expect  we  will  be  in  the  woods  twenty 
days,  and  have  made  my  computations  on  that  basis ; 
so  we  will  need  a  case  of  liquor,  and  as  you  prefer 
brandy,  brandy  let  it  be." 

"  No,  no ;  by  no  means,"  responded  Don ;  "  do  not 
let  my  predilections  influence  you  ;  besides,  a  dozen 
bottles  seems  a  good  deal.  If  we  were  gone  twenty- 
four  days  it  would  be  just  a  pint  a  day,  or  a  half- 
pint  apiece — rather  severe,  considering  we  expect 
to  rough  it." 

"  You  know  we  have  to  give  the  men  some  occa- 
sionally, and  then  we  will  meet  other  parties  and 
have  mutual  good-luck  to  drink.  It  will  not  be  an 
over-supply,  though  we  can  make  it  less  if  you  say 
so ;  I  myself  drink  little  when  in  the  woods." 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  25 

c<  I  believe  that,"  replied  Don,  ironically ;  "  and 
considering  how  well  I  know  you,  it  was  hardly 
worth  while  to  mention  it.  But  this  is  a  serious 
question,  for  we  can  get  nothing  drinkable  after 
leaving  Cleveland;  and  if  we  have  to  do  what 
you  say,  do  you  not  think  we  shall  run  short? 
I  want  plenty  of  everything,  and  it  would  be 
better  to  take  a  dozen  and  a  half,  if  there  is  a 
doubt."- 

"  There  is  no  doubt ;  but  if " 

"  If  you  say  there  is  no  doubt,  that  is  sufficient ; 
but  I  am  surprised  you  should  give  the  men  expen- 
sive brandy,  when  they  would  probably  prefer  a 
coarser  article." 

"  Of  course,  we  will  take  a  common  whiskey  for 
the  men  ;  but  occasionally  while  using  the  flask  our- 
selves we  will  naturally  pass  it  to  them." 

"Ah,  yes;  I  understand.  But,  really,  I  am  not 
satisfied  it  should  be  all  brandy ;  you  must  not  ex- 
pect to  have  the  same  comforts  you  would  in  the 
city,  and  if  you  will  take  my  advice,  you  will  have 
at  least  part  whiskey." 

"  But  you  prefer  brandy,  and  one  is  as  easy  to 
carry  as  the  other." 

"  Really,  now,  you  must  not  consult  my  wishes ; 
in  fact,  although  I  admit  a  slight  preference  for 
brandy,  many  persons  prefer  whiskey.  Before  you 
decide,  it  would  be  well  to  examine  the  matter  tho- 
roughly ;  and  as  we  arc  now  at  the  store,  you  must 
make  up  your  mind  promptly." 

This  conversation  had  taken  place  as  we  were 
2 


26  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

walking  from  the  hotel  to  an  establishment  that 
had  been  recommended  to  us. 

"Remember,"  continued  Don,  "  you  must  act  for 
the  joint  interest,  and  there  are  several  points  well 
worth  considering.  In  the  first  place,  whiskey  is 
much  cheaper ;  then  it  is  probably  purer  than  the 
brandy  you  buy  here ;  if  a  bottle  should  be  broken 
the  loss  is  less " 

"  Certainly ;  if  you  would  be  equally  content,  I 
should  arrange  it  differently." 

"  How  often  must  I  tell  you  not  to  consider  me, 
and  I  am  decidedly  pleased  at  your  change  of  views. 
Now,  putting  aside  any  supposed  preference  on  my 
part,  what  proportions  would  you  suggest  ?" 

"  Nine  of  whiskey  to  three  of  brandy." 

"  Ah,"  gasped  Don,  losing  his  breath  at  the  sud- 
denness of  this  response,  "  have  you  given  the  mat- 
ter sufficient  consideration?  You  have  not  even 
ascertained  the  price ;"  and  then  turning  to  the 
clerk,  he  asked  :  "  How  do  you  sell  your  best  whis- 
key ?" 

"  Eight  dollars  a  dozen,  and  brandy  two  dollars 
a  bottle." 

"  Nine  bottles  of  whiskey  would  be  six  dollars," 
I  calculated  aloud,  "and  six  for  the  brandy,  make 
twelre.  Have  them  packed  and  delivered  on  board 
the  City  of  Cleveland  promptly  at  half-past  seven, 
because  she  leaves  at  eight." 

"  But  are  you  satisfied  ?"  cried  Don  in  an  agony 
of  horror  at  such  a  want  of  discussion  ;  "  have  you 
examined  all  the  bearings  of  the  change  ?  Can  it 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  27 

be  packed  in  time  ?  You  know  whiskey  does  not 
go  as  far  as  brandy.  Are  you  sure  you  have 
enough?  Is  there  no  question  about  that  being 
the  best  proportion?  Would  you  not  prefer  all 
whiskey  ?  In  case  of  sickness,  may  we  not  need 
more  brandy  ?  What  is  the  best  mode  of  packing 
it  ?  Is  it  sure  to  be  at  the  boat  punctually  ?" 

"  That  is  the  clerk's  affair ;  if  it  is  there  it  will  be 
paid  for,  and  if  not  it  won't.  Let's  look  at  the 
town ;  come,"  and  I  dragged  him  off  just  in  time  to 
avoid  a  dozen  new  propositions,  and  as  many  unan 
swerable  questions,  leaving  the  clerk,  bottle  in  hand, 
looking  the  image  of  despair  at  the  avalanche  of 
inquiries  that  had  burst  upon  him. 

After  strolling  about  for  several  hours  we  reached 
the  boat,  and  found  the  case  of  liquor  waiting  for 
us,  and  proceeded  to  select  our  stateroom.  This 
matter  rose  at  once  to  a  serious  question  in  Don's 
eyes.  I  resolved  to  leave  it  entirely  to  him,  confi- 
dent that  his  elegant  manner  would  impress  the 
steward.  He  at  once  devoted  his  entire  attention 
to  it,  flitting  from  place  to  place  in  the  forward  and 
after  cabins  with  the  steward  at  his  side,  pointing 
out  defects  here,  suggesting  changes  there,  popping 
in  and  out  of  doors,  describing  his  foreign  expe-. 
riences  and  the  prime  necessity  of  comfortable  quar- 
ters, turning  down  the  sheets,  peering  into  cracks, 
feeling  the  pillows,  casting  a  suspicious  eye  upon 
blankets,  dissatisfied  with  all,  and  finally  resolved 
to  take  one  which  could  not  be  examined  at  the 
time  for  want  of  the  key,  but  which  the  steward, 


28  LAKE  SUPERIOR, 

who  had  been  a  respectful  and  sympathetic  listener, 
assured  him  had  none  of  the  defects  he  had  pointed 
out. 

The  immaculate  stateroom  was  engaged,  the  boat 
pushed  off,  the  key  was  obtained,  and  lo  and  behold ! 
if  it  had  none  of  these  specified  defects,  it  had  ano- 
ther— one  of  the  wooden  supports,  a  huge  beam 
eighteen  inches  broad,  passed  directly  up  through 
the  foot  of  both  the  berths,  reducing  them  to  four 
feet  six  inches  in  length.  When  Don  made  this 
discovery  his  face  was  a  study  for  his  friends  the 
artists ;  anger  could  not  do  justice  to  the  occasion ; 
des-pair,  bewilderment,  horror,  astonishment,  seemed 
blended,  with  a  lurking  suspicion  that  the  sympa- 
thetic steward  had  been  making  game  of  him.  He 
rushed  to  the  office,  could  find  nothing  of  the  stew- 
ard, but  was  informed  that  all  the  other  staterooms 
were  engaged. 

However,  after  supper,  the  officials  relented  and 
gave  us  another  room,  enjoying  mightily  their  joke, 
as  I  always  believed  it  to  be,  although  Don  never 
could  be  brought  to  admit  that  they  could  by  any 
possibility  have  dared  to  make  fun  of  him,  and  in- 
sisted it  was  a  blunder  of  that  "  stupid  steward." 

We  reached  Detroit  by  five  o'clock  of  the  follow- 
ing morning,  and  as  the  boat  for  some  wise  reason 
remained  there  till  two  in  the  afternoon,  we  strolled 
round  the  city.  It  is  a  promising  place,  and  has  the 
finest  street  in  the  world,  so  the  citizens  assured  us, 
called  Jefferson  Avenue.  The  market  was  well  sup- 
plied with  fish,  and  among  them  sturgeon,  cut  into 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  29 

slabs  of  yellow,  flabby  flesh  ;  pale  Mackinaw  salmon, 
and  darker  ones  from  Lake  Superior;  white  fish, 
the  best  of  which  were  sold,  for  six  cents  a  pound ; 
lake  mullet,  black  and  white  bass,  yellow  and  white 
perch,  sun-fish,  northern  pickerel,  suckers,  pike-perch, 
cat-fish,  and  lake  shad  or  lake  sheepshead,  called  in 
French  Bossu,  or  humpback — a  very  appropriate 
appellation.  These  fish  had  been  for  the  most  part 
taken  in  nets ;  but  black  bass  are  captured  abun- 
dantly with  the  rod  in  the  small  lakes  near  Detroit, 
and  in  Canada  opposite.  The  principal  articles  sold 
in  the  market,  however,  were  strawberries  and 
hoop-skirts  ;  the  latter  being  so  numerous  that  Don 
remarked  incidentally  that  the  inhabitants  absolutely 
skirt  the  market.  This  he  evidently  intended  as  a 
joke. 

A  few  miles  beyond  Detroit  is  situated  its  pre- 
tentious rival,  Port  Huron,  which  is  also  a  flourish- 
ing town,  and  has  the  handsomest  street  in  the  world ; 
and  opposite  Port  Huron  are  Sarnia  and  Point  Ed- 
wards, the  'termini  of  the  Grand  Trunk  and  the 
Great  Western  railroads  of  Canada.  We  touched 
at  Point  Edwards  at  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
evening. 

America  is  a  great  place ;  the  people  are  upright, 
virtuous,  honest,  enterprising,  energetic,  brave,  in- 
telligent, charitable  and  public  spirited ;  they  are 
the  finest  race  of  men  and  the  most  beautiful  and 
cultivated  women  in  the  world,  but  they  do  not  know 
how  to  dine.  To  gobble  down  one's  victuals,  regard- 
less of  digestion  or  decency,  is  not  eating  like  Chris- 


30  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

tians  but  feeding  like  animals ;  to  thrust  one's  fork 
or  spoon  into  the  dish  appropriated  to  holding  food 
for  all,  is  uncleanly  and  offensive  ;  to  eat  peas  with 
a  knife  is  bad  enough,  but  to  use  it  immediately 
afterwards  to  cut  butter  from  the  butter-plate  is 
absolutely  disgusting.  No  one  who  does  these 
things  is  either  a  lady  or  a  gentlemen ;  and  no  one 
who  cannot  keep  his  arms  at  his  side  while  cutting 
his  meat  is  fit  to  eat  at  a  public  table. 

There  was  one  gentleman,  as  he  would  claim  to 
be  considered,  who  sat, near  us,  who,  although  he 
had  a  proper  silver  fork,  endeavored  religiously  to 
eat  his  peas  on  a  knife  that  happened  to  have  a  small 
point.  This  operation,  always  difficult  and  danger- 
ous, became,  from  the  formation  of  the  blade,  almost 
impossible  ;  the  peas  rolled  off  at  every  attempt,  and 
the  unfortunate  rarely  succeeded  in  carrying  to  his 
mouth  more  than  one  at  a  time,  till  finally  reduced 
to  despair,  he  seized  a  table-spoon,  and  with  it  de- 
voured them  in  great  mouthfuls. 

The  dinner  was  quite  a  lively  scene  ;  the  ladies, 
although  there  was  plenty  of  room,  were  smuggled 
in  clandestinely  before  the  gong  was  sounded,  and 
the  men,  dreading  the  horrors  of  a  second  table, 
rushed  for  the  remaining  chairs,  standing  behind 
and  guarding  them  religiously,  but  politely  waiting 
till  the  ladies  were  seated.  There  was  plenty  of 
food,  but  each  man  immediately  collected  such  deli- 
cacies as  were  near  him,  and  he  imagined  he  might 
need,  and  transferred  them  to  his  plate  or  a  small 
saucer.  There  was  abundance  of  time,  no  one  hav- 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  31 

ing  the  slightest  prospect  of  occupation  after  dinner, 
and  yet  every  man,  woman,  and  child  set  to  work  eat- 
ing as  though  they  expected  at  any  moment  to  be 
dragged  away  and  condemned  to  weeks  of  starvation. 
The  waiters,  feeling  themselves  above  their  places, 
were  independent  if  not  insolent,  and  we  overheard 
the  following  discourse  bet  ween  one  of  them  and  an 
unhappy  wretch  who  had'  come  in  late  and  could 
obtain  no  attendance.  The  suffering  individual 
began  rapping  on  his  plate  with  the  knife  till  he 
attracted  the  notice  of  a  passing  waiter : 

Waiter. — "Well,  what  are  you  making  that  noise 
for  ?" 

Starving  Individual, — "I  should   like   to   have 
something  to  eat." 

Waiter. — "  Isn't  there  plenty  to  eat  all  round  you  ?" 
Individual, — "  But  I  want  some  meat." 
Waiter. — "  Why    don't   you   ask    for   it,   then  ? 
What  do  you  want  ?" 

Individual.-^-"  What  kinds  are  there  ?" 
Waiter. — "  Why  there's  beefsteak,  to  be  sure." 
IndividucU.-^-"  I  would  like  to  have  some  beef- 
steak." 

Waiter. — "  Why  didn't  you  say  so,  then,  at  first  ? 
Give  me  your  plate  if  you  expect  me  to  get  it  for  you." 
It  was  their  habit  to  empty  the  water  loft  in  the 
glasses  back  into  the  pitchers,  and  when  I  asked 
one  for  a  glass  of  water,  he  drank  out  of  it  himself 
first,  and  then  handed  it  to  me.  On  another  occa- 
sion he  helped  Don  by  giving  him  the  tumbler  a 
stranger  had  just  used. 


32  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

These  little  peculiarities  all  round  encouraged 
sociability ;  you  could  hardly  refuse  to  know  a  man 
when  you  had  drunk  out  of  the  same  glass  and 
eaten  from  the  same  dish  with  him,  and  a  lady 
naturally  felt  at  home  with  a  gentleman  whose  ribs 
she  had  been  punching  for  half  an  hour.  The  pro- 
gress of  the  meal,  however,  was  somewhat  checkered, 
not  a  few  of  the  guests  clamoring  for  their  dessert 
ere  the  others  had  finished  their  soup.  The  only 
explanation  of  this  haste  was  from  the  graceful 
stewardess,  who  was  the  redeeming  feature  of  the 
boat,  and  who  said  the  waiters  were  in  a  hurry  so 
as  to  have  it  over  as  soon  as  possible.  It  might 
aptly  be  said  of  the  Americans :  "  They  eat  to  live." 

Beyond  Lake  St.  Clair  the  land  on  both  sides  of 
the  river  is  low,  and,  especially  on  the  Canadian  side, 
adorned  with  cultivated  farms  and  dotted  with  pic- 
turesque country  houses.  A  half  mile  barely  sepa- 
rates the  two  nations  ;  and,  in  case  of  war,  with  our 
present  improved  artillery,  the  intervening  river 
would  hardly  form  an  obstacle  to  mutual  destruc- 
tion, till  the  once  smiling  fields  and  happy  homes 
would  be  one  vast  scene  of  desolation. 

Emerging  into  Lake  Huron  we  began  to  perceive 
the  effects  of  the  cool  water  and  consequent  conden- 
sation of  the  warmer  atmosphere  ;  a  heavy  fog  lay 
upon  the  surface,  at  first  not  higher  than  our  upper 
deck,  but  creeping  up  as  the  night  advanced.  On 
one  side  a  beautiful  fog-bow  with  faint  and  delicate 
colors,  spanned  the  sky,  while  on  the  other  a  bril- 
liant ring  of  sparkling  silver  surrounded  the  moon 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  33 

The  water  that  was  an  opaque,  milky  white  at 
Cleveland,  had  been  growing  darker,  greener,  and 
clearer,  attaining  perfect  purity  ere  we  reached 
Lake  Superior,  and  exposing  to  view  objects  many 
feet  below  its  surface. 

Having  reached  Detour,  which  is  a  growing  place 
and  will  soon  have  the  finest  street  in  the  world,  at 
eight  o'clock  at  night,  and  the  channel  through  Lake 
George  being  intricate,  the  captain  announced  we 
could  proceed  no  further  that  evening,  and  the  pas- 
sengers generally  went  ashore  to  explore  the  coun- 
try. The  land  is  low  around  Detour,  though  there 
are  clusters  of  pretty  islands,  and  here  for  the  first 
did  we  see  the  rocky  northern  formation  and  the 
evergreen  trees. 

Lake  George,  which  is  at  the  head  of  Lake  Huron, 
or  more  properly  a  part  o£it,  is  shallow  and  muddy. 
A  channel,  narrow  and  of  but  twelve  feet  in  depth, 
has  been  dredged  and  marked  out  with  stakes ;  it  is 
crooked,  and  will  scarcely  admit  of  two  vessels  pass- 
ing abreast.  The  shoal  mud-flats  were  visible  in 
every  direction,  and  our  wheels  stirred  up  the  bot- 
tom as  we  passed. 

It  was  with  a  feeling  of  relief  that  we  escaped 
from  this  lake  into  the  deeper  and  rapid  waters  of 
the  river  Ste.  Marie,  whose  eddying  current  and 
bold  shores  were  a  pleasant  sight,  to  our  eyes  wearied 
with  the  sameness  of  lake  travel.  We  had  been 
three  nights  and  almost  three  days  caged  in  our 
floating  home,  and  were  delighted  at  the  near 

approach  to  our  destination.    We  had  not  heard 

o* 


34  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

the  band  mentioned  in  the  advertisements,  but  sup- 
plied its  place  with  a  crazy  piano  strummed  by 
amateur  performers ;  we  had  not  partaken  of  all  the 
luxuries  of  the  season,  but  had  appreciated  with 
sharpened  appetites  the  substantials  that  were  fur- 
nished ;  we  had  not  enjoyed  the  company  of  fair 
excursionists  from  Cleveland  or  Detroit,  but  had 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  one  or  two  kind  beings 
in  crinoline ;  we  had  not  had  an  exciting  trip,  but 
had  been  transported  safely  and  slowly,  and  at 
eight  o'clock  that  morning  we  raached  the  Sault 
Ste.  Marie. 

A  weary  waste  of  waters  lay  behind  ;  our  track 
lengthening  into  the  dim  distance,  stretched  out  to 
many  thousand  miles  ;  we  had  crossed  deep  streams, 
had  burrowed  through  high  mountains,  had  darted 
along  broad  meadows,  had  swept  across  majestic- 
lakes,  had  ascended  mighty  rivers ;  less  than  a 
hundred  years  ago  many  months  would  have  been 
expended  in  completing  this  same  journey ;  serious 
difficulties  would  have  had  to  be  overcome  and  dan- 
gers encountered ;  we  had  condensed  a  year  of  our 
grandfathers'  lives  into  three  days  ;  we  had  spanned 
one-half  our  great  continent,  fled  from  the  metropo- 
lis of  civilization  to  the  native  haunts  of  the  savage  ; 
in  fact,  gone  back  from  the  nineteenth  into  the 
eighteenth  century.  We  had  been  carried  by  steam 
upon  the  track  of  iron  or  in  the  moving  palace  ;  in 
future  we  were  to  embark  in  the  voyageur's  bateau, 
and  be  propelled  by  oars  or  sail.  Heretofore  the 
unnatural  wants  of  civilized  life  had  been  indulged 


LAKE   SUPEETOR.  35 

and  gratified ;  hereafter,  the  commonest  home,  the 
simplest  covering,  the  plainest  food,  was  to  be  our 
lot ;  hitherto  we  had  been  in  the  land  where  gold 
was  the  talisman  that  commanded  ten  thousand 
slaves ;  henceforth  we  were  to  trust  ourselves  to 
kindly  nature  and  our  own  capabilities.  Glorious 
were  our  anticipations  from  the  change.  Our  ves- 
sel, the  unromantic  City  of  Cleveland,  which,  from 
the  beginning,  had  been  lumbering  along  at  the 
moderate  rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour  without  ever 
being  betrayed  into  the  slightest  evidence  of  enthu- 
siasm, seemed  overjoyed  at  her  approaching  arrival, 
and  dressed  herself  in  her  gala  costume  of  variegat- 
ed bunting.  She  whistled  merrily  to  announce  to 
the  inhabitants  that  once  more  she  was  to  bless  their 
sight,  and  tried  to  get  up  a  little  extra  steam  for  a 
final  burst.  The  travellers  crowded  her  decks,  the 
natives  collected  along  shore  ;  the  former  waved 
their  handkerchiefs,  the  latter,  probably  having  no 
handkerchiefs,  swung  their  hats  ;  and  amid  all  this 
excitement  we  came  merrily  up  to  the  dock. 

The  Sank,  or  Soo,  as  the  name  of  the  village  is 
always  pronounced,  is  not  a  large  place,  but  proved 
to  be  larger  than  I  expected ;  our  dull  plodding  east- 
ern people  can  hardly  imagine  how  rapidly  the 
west  is  growing  in  wealth  and  population  ;  already 
our  little  western  brother  is  claiming  to  be  a  man, 
and  if  we  are  not  careful  will  be  too  much  for  us 
some  day.  This  newly  planted  village,  almost  at 
the  extreme  northwest  of  American  civilization,  in- 
cluded an  excellent  hotel,  a  dozen  stores,  and  at 


36  -  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

least  a  hundred  houses  and  workshops.  Already 
the  belles  of  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Minne- 
sota were  congregating  at  it  to  enjoy  its  cool  tem- 
perature and  invigorating  atmosphere,  and  ere  many 
years  are  passed  it  will  be  a  fashionable  watering- 
place,  thronged  with  the  elite  of  western  society. 
Its  principal  hotel,  the  Chippewa  House,  was  admir- 
ably kept,  and  doubtless  is  the  pioneer  of  an  infi- 
nitely more  gorgeous  affair. 

Don,  however,  who  is  rather  particular  and  not 
much  accustomed  to  the  free  and  easy  mode  oi 
country  life,  was  somewhat  disappointed  with  our 
room.  It  had  the  great  desideratum  of  plenty 
of  fresh  air,  for  it  was  of  the  whole  width  of  the 
house  and  had  windows  back  and  front,  but  Don 
was  surprised  that  people  who  kept  hotels  did  not 
acquaint  themselves  with  the  other  important  requi- 
sites. 

"There,  for  instance,  you  observe  the  water 
pitcher  has  a  cracked  handle.  Some  time  you  will 
undertake  to  lift  it  and  it  will  give  way,  and  then 
there  is  no  telling  what  it  may  ruin;  the  trunk, 
even,  may  receive  the  entire  contents." 

"  But,  Don,  that  is  an  old  crack ;  it  has  evidently 
stood  several  years,  and  will  doubtless  last  the  few 
days  we  are  here." 

"Not  so  certain;  and  just  observe  that  disgusting 
nick  in  the  wash-basin,  it  will  always  look  dirty  even 
if  it  is  not." 

"  Don,  you  are  wrong  there ;  that  is  a  good  sign, 
it  proves  the  basin  may  nick  but  won't  break." 


LAKE  SUPEEIOK.  37 

"  Then  there  is  no  slop-basin  ;  now  what  do  you 
suppose  we  are  to  do  without  a  slop-basin  ? " 

"  Why,  throw  the  slops  out  of  the  window,  to  be 
sure." 

"  You  would  hardly  call  that  decent  in  New  York ; 
and  not  only  may  they  fall  on  some  passer-by,  but 
the  window  is  too  small  to  permit  it  conveniently. 
Just  look  at  this  pillow  ;  it  is  long,  to  be  sure,  but 
not  stuffed  with  half  feathers  enough ;  what  am  I 
to  do  with  such  an  apology  for  a  pillow  as  this  ?  " 

"  Why,  double  it  up,  of  course." 

"  I  see,"  he  concluded,  in  a  resigned  tone,  "  you 
are  making  a  joke  of  these  matters,  so  we  will  not 
pursue  the  subject ;  but  now  that  we  are  on  shore 
fresh  from  our  voyage,  I  wish  to  ask  seriously  your 
deliberate  opinion  whether  you  would  advise  any 
one  to  take  the  trip  just  for  the  pleasure  of  the  jour- 
ney itself?" 


38  LAKE   SUPEKIOR. 


CHAPTER  II. 

IN  the  northern  part  of  Minnesota  is  the  greatest 
elevation  of  what  geologists  denominate  the  eastern 
water-shed  of  our  continent ;  lying  almost  exactly 
in  the  centre  of  North  America,  here  the  streams 
that  flow  to  the  north,  east,  and  south,  find  their 
source.  Lake  Superior,  that  adjoins  this  section  on 
the  east,  is  the  chief  of  those  magnificent  lakes  that 
empty  from  one  another  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
finally  wash  the  coast  of  Labrador.  The  Mississippi, 
taking  its  rise  in  the  same  region  and  but  a  few  miles 
away,  flows  southward  with  ever  increasing  volume 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  then  sweeping  around 
Florida  and  through  the  Atlantic,  rejoins  the  waters 
of  Lake  Superior  off  Newfoundland ;  while  the 
Red  River  of  the  North,  pursuing  a  contrary  course, 
empties  into  Hudson's  Bay  and  thence  into  the 
Northern  Ocean.  These  waters,  starting  from  little 
rills  and  springs  scarcely  more  than  a  few  steps 
apart,  after  wandering  thousands  of  miles  asunder 
come  together  and  commingle  in  the  Northern  Atlan- 
tic Ocean. 

Here  were  the  famous  Indian  portages.  One  from 
Lake  Superior  through  Pigeon  River,  Sturgeon  Lake, 
and  Rainy  River  into  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  has 
served  to  locate  the  boundary  between  two  great 


LAKE   SUPERIOR,  39 

nations,  and  is  the  native  high  way  bet  ween  Hudson's 
River  and  Hudson's  Bay.  Another  through  Brule 
River  leads  into  the  head  waters  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  thence,  by  ascending  the  Missouri,  to  the  rivers 
that  empty  into  the  Pacific  Ocean.  These  portages 
were  traversed  year  after  year  by  the  aboriginal  in 
habitants,  who  have  left  their  tracks  in  the  well-worn 
paths  that  are  still  followed  by  the  voyageurs,  and 
are  suggestive  of  easy  grades  to  those  who  wish  to 
bind  our  country  together  by  paddle-wheel  and  rail- 
road track. 

Lake  Superior,  with  a  surface  six  hundred  feet 
above,  and  a  bottom  three  hundred  feet  below 
the  level  of  the  sea,  stretches  out  in  vastness  and 
splendor  five  hundred  miles  long  by  nearly  two  hun- 
dred broad,  and  holds  in  its  bosom  islands  that  would 
make  respectable  kingdoms  in  the  old  world.  On 
the  southern  shore  its  sandstone  rocks  are  worn  by 
the  waves  and  storms  into  fantastic  shapes,  imitative 
of  ancient  castles  or  modern  vessels,  or  are  hollowed 
out  into  deep  caverns  ;  on  the  north  the  bolder  shore 
rises  into  rugged  mountains  whose  face  has  been 
seamed  by  the  moving  ice-drift  of  former  ages.  In 
the  country  bordering  upon  the  south  are  located 
inexhaustible  mines  of  copper  and  iron  of  immense 
value  ;  and  along  the  northern  coast  are  found  agates 
and  precious  stones. 

A  hundred  streams  pour  their  contents  into  the 
great  lake  which,  from  its  enormous  size  and  depth, 
retaining  the  temperature  of  winter  through  the 
summer  months,  empties  its  clear,  cold,  transparent 


40  LAKE  SUPERIOK. 

waters  into  the  river  Ste.  Marie.  Not  producing  a 
large  variety  of  fish,  those  that  dwell  in  its  bosom 
fire  the  finest  of  their  species.  The  speckled  trout, 
the  Mackinaw  salmon,  and  the  black  bass  are  large 
and  vigorous;  sturgeons  are  plentiful,  although 
valueless  except  as  an  article  of  food ;  and  the  white 
fish  are  the  daintiest  fresh-water  fish  in  the  world. 

The  forests  are  mainly  composed  of  the  sombre 
evergreen  trees,  relieved  frequently  by  the  beautiful 
white  birch,  and  along  the  low  lands  by  a  consider- 
able number  of  other  varieties ;  the  shore  on  the 
north  is  a  bold  bluff  five  hundred  feet  high,  but 
where  it  descends  to  the  water  it  forms  occasionally 
tracts  of  fertile  interval ;  on  the  south  the  coast  is 
more  level  and  apparently  more  sterile.  Both  shores 
are  as  yet  totally  uncultivated,  and  from  the  severity 
of  the  winters  will  probably  long  so  remain. 

Immediately  upon  our  arrival  at  the  Sault  we 
made  our  preparations  for  a  campaign  against  the 
fish,  and  engaged  as  guides  Joseph  Le  Sayre,  a 
Melicete  chief,  and  Alexis  Biron,  a  Canadian  half- 
breed.  Old  Joe,  as  we  called  him,  though  he  did 
not  seem  over  forty,  was  a  fine  looking  Indian  with 
an  erect  graceful  shape,  and  pleasant  open  counte- 
nance ;  Alexis,  though  apparently  a  good  man,  was 
not  so  prepossessing. 

We  embarked  in  a  large,  stout  canoe,  and  paddling 
across  the  broken  water  at  the  foot  of  the  fall,  com- 
menced fishing  the  streams  into  which  the  river  is 
divided  by  numerous  islands  near  the  opposite  shore. 
A  small,  brown  caddis  fly,  or,  scientifically  speaking, 


LAKE   SUPEEIOR.  41 

phryganeO)  covered  the  water  in  myriads,  was 
wafted  along  in  clouds  by  the  wind,  and  settled  upon 
the  trees  and  rocks  everywhere.  Knowing  that  they 
changed  from  a  species  of  worm  on  rising  to  the 
surface,  we  selected  clear,  calm  spots  and  endea- 
vored to  examine  the  process.  It  was  too  rapid  for 
human  eyesight ;  a  spot  of  transparent  water  would 
be  bare  one  instant,  and  the  next  there  would  be 
upon  its  surface  two  or  or  three  little  creatures  danc- 
ing about  and  trying  their  wings  preparatory  to  a 
bolder  flight.  We  never  managed  to  see  the  larva, 
but  invariably  beheld  the  perfect  fly  appear  instan- 
taneously. 

Their  number  was  incalculable;  living  ones  filled 
the  air,  were  blown  along  like  moving  sand,  were 
carried  into  our  faces  so  that  we  could  scarcely  face 
the  wind,  and  settled  upon  our  boat;  dead  ones 
covered  the  water  in  all  directions,  were  devoured 
by  the  fish,  especially  the  lake  herring,  and  were  col- 
lected by  the  current  in  masses  resembling  sea- 
weed. They  were  nearly  the  color  of  common 
brown  paper  throughout,  legs,  wings,  and  body 
being  of  much  the  same  hue.  They  arrive  every 
year  at  the  same  time  and  in  about  the  same  num- 
bers. They  last  a  week  or  so,  and  although  we 
found  them  the  entire  length  of  our  subsequent  trip, 
their  favorite  locality  seemed  to  be  the  Sault.  They 
are  used  as  bait  for  the  lake  herring,  which  I  believe 
is  identical  with  the  cisco,  an  excellent  fish  closely 
resembling,  and  in  my  opinion  equal,  if  not  superior 
to  the  white  fish. 


42  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

The  trout  usually  begin  taking  the  artificial  fly  in 
the  early  part  of  July,  but  although  we  had  been 
warned  that  they  were  not  as  yet  rising  this  year, 
we  had  no  anticipation  of  the  wretched  luck  that 
awaited  us.  Notwithstanding  the  water  seemed 
promising,  and  deep,  dark  holes,  beautiful  eddies, 
and  lively  pools  indicated  success ;  and  notwithstand- 
ing continual  changes  of  our  flies,  we  only  killed 
three  small  fish.  Perhaps  the  numerous  natural  in- 
sects, or  the  larvce  from  which  they  were  metamor- 
phosed, proved  a  sufficient  and  preferable  food  ;  we 
could  not  induce  the  trout  to  rise,  and  did  not  even 
see  them  breaking. 

Exploring  all  the  little  streams  of  the  Canadian 
side,  hoping  at  every  cast  to  improve  our  luck,  we 
worked  our  way  slowly  and  arduously,  for  the  water 
was  unusually  low,  against  the  current,  and  steadily 
ascending  with  the  strenuous  efforts  of  our  canoe 
men,  who  used  stout  poles  for  the  purpose,  we  at 
last  emerged  above  the  islands  and  at  the  head  of 
the  rapids. 

Here  the  water  of  the  lake,  confined  to  the  narrow 
channel,  chafed  uneasily  in  tiny  wavelets,  as  though 
conscious  of  the  approaching  struggle.  Above,  the 
river  stretched  away  to  the  westward,  evidently 
from  a  considerable  elevation  but  comparatively 
smooth  ;  nearer,  it  was  rushing  like  a  mill-race  ;  below 
it  was  broken  into  white  waves,  huge  cascades,  and 
seething  rapids.  How  wonderful  is  the  change  in 
the  appearance  of  water  lying  calmly  in  the  lake, 
hurrying  rapidly  but  silently  down  a  smooth  slope, 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  43 

lashed  into  billows  by  the  wind,  toiling  among  rocks 
or  leaping  over  falls — but  above  all  is  it  peculiar  and 
terrible  in  passing  through  broken  descents !  See  it 
glide  so  deceitfully  smooth,  but  with  such  resistless 
power  toward  the  rapids;  notice  its  tiny  innocent 
ripples  and  childlike  murmurs  at  your  feet ;  see  the 
pretty  rolling  undulations.  Trust  yourself  to  its 
seductions.  Now  it  has  you  in  its  fearful  current, 
now  it  drags  you  along,  it  clasps  you  struggling  and 
shrieking  in  its  fierce  embrace ;  it  throws  its  white 
arms  around  you,  lashes  itself  into  a  fury,  whirls  you 
about  in  its  powerful  eddies,  sinks  you  down  in  its 
mighty  whirlpools,  dashes  you  against  the  rocks, 
drags  you  along  the  jagged  bottom,  tosses  you  over 
the  cascades,  and  finally  flings  you  torn,  bleeding, 
disfigured,  and  lifeless  to  the  bottom  of  the  tranquil 
pool  at  its  base. 

In  the  sunlight  it  resembles  liquid  crystal ;  flow- 
ing along  placidly,  transparent  as  the  diamond,  it 
sweeps  upon  the  rocky  shoals  and  flies  up  in  a 
shower  of  purest  pearls,  alternately  revealing  or 
hiding  some  monstrous  gem  to  which  it  lends  its  re- 
flective brilliancy ;  over  the  limestone  it  is  opal,  over 
yellow  rocks  it  becomes  onyx,  over  the  red,  ruby  or 
garnet,  over  the  green,  emerald. 

Bending  and  waving  in  ever  varying  beauty  of 
form,  but  carrying  in  its  bosom  or  reflecting  from  its 
foam  the  sunlight  fire,  a  thousand  times  intensified, 
of  precious  stones. 

As  the  day  was  well  advanced,  we  determined 
to  trust  ourselves  to  the  unreliable  element  and  run 


44  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

the  rapids,  which  is  one  of  the  favorite  amusements 
of  the  adventurous.  This  can  be  made  as  dangerous 
as  desirable,  according  to  the  selection  of  route, 
either  near  shore,  where  there  is  only  the  chance  of 
an  upset  and  a  few  bruises,  or  through  the  centre, 
where  it  is  certain  death.  We  chose  a  middle 
course,  but  as  near  the  centre  as  our  guides,  who 
were  not  venturesome,  would  go.  Crossing  over 
above  the  broken  water  to  the  American  shore,  the 
large,  high-sided,  but  fragile  canoe  was  headed  down 
stream,  giving  us  a  view  of  the  prospect  before  us. 
Great  ridges  of  white  foam  stretched  at  intervals 
almost  from  shore  to  shore,  while  the  darker  water 
was  broken  into  heavy  waves,  curling  up  stream  and 
ready  to  pour  into  the  boat  as  it  should  rush  down- 
wards through  them.  At  first  the  canoe  settled 
gently,  making  us  plainly  feel  that  we  were  going 
down  hill ;  then  it  gathered  way  as  the  current  in- 
creased, and  went  plunging  on  its  course.  The 
waves  flew  from  our  bow  or  leaped  over  in  upon  us, 
the  rocks  glided  by  racing  up  stream,  whirlpools 
twisted  us  from  side  to  side ;  we  sprang  over  tiny 
cascades  or  darted  down  slopes  deep  and  dark,  or 
shallow  and  feathery  white  with  foam  ;  we  rushed 
upon  rocks  where  inevitable  destruction  seemed 
awaiting  us,  and  the  shore,  trees,  and  houses  went 
tearing  by  ;  past  the  little  island  at  the  head  of  the 
rapids,  past  the  main  fall,  through  foam  and  spray, 
we  dashed  headlong,  till  the  few  minutes  required 
for  the  entire  descent  being  exhausted,  we  glided 
calmly  and  quietly  into  the  water  below. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  45 

Looking  back  it  seemed  as  though  we  gazed  upon 
a  hill  covered  with  water  instead  of  up  a  river,  and 
nothing  but  practical  experience  would  convince  a 
tyro  that  it  could  be  navigated  in  safety  with  a  birch 
canoe.  Exhilarated  with  the  pleasurable  sensations 
we  had  enjoyed,  and  satisfied  that  the  trout  were 
not  in  a  rising  mood  that  day  at  least,  we  returned 
to  the  hotel. 

The  few  fish  we  had  killed  were  transferred  by 
our  host  to  the  cook,  and  reappeared  on  table  in  fine 
style.  After  discussing  an  excellent  dinner  and 
comparing  notes  with  the  other  fishermen  present, 
wre  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  canal  superinten- 
dent to  examine  the  locks  and  visit  his  pond  of  tame 
trout.  We  found  the  canal  an  admirable  structure, 
expensively  built,  and  of  a  size  to  accommodate  the 
largest  steamers  that  navigate  Lake  Superior ;  not, 
however,  being  skilful  in  works  of  that  character, 
we  felt  more  interest  in  the  trout  pond. 

The  latter  was  quite  small,  fed  by  a  pipe  from  the 
canal  that  cast  up  a  jet  in  the  centre,  and  was  filled 
with  over  a  hundred  of  fine,  large,  active  trout, 
weighing  from  one  to  four  pounds.  They  were 
wonderfully  gentle,  would  feed  from  the  hand,  allow 
any  one  to  scratch  their  sides  and  lift  them  from  the 
water,  and  if  one  end  of  the  food  was  held  fast,  they 
would  tug  like  good  fellows  at  the  other.  When 
we  held  a  piece  of  bait  between  the  first  finger  and 
thumb,  and  at  the  same  time  presented  the  little 
finger,  they  would  frequently  seize  the  latter  by 
mistake ;  and  although  on  that  occasion  they  let  go 


46  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

instantly  without  doing  the  least  harm,  the  proprie- 
tor said  when  hungry  they  occasionally  left  the 
marks  of  their  teeth.  It  was  extremely  interesting 
to  watch  their  movements,  as  their  appetites  were 
never  allowed  to  become  ravenous  and  produce 
quarrelling  among  themselves.  They  were  magnifi- 
cent fellows,  swimming  about  majestically,  and  com- 
ing to  the  surface  in  a  fearless  way  to  return  the 
gaze  of  the  spectators. 

The  trout  were  mostly  taken  in  nets  from  the 
canal  when  the  water  was  drawn  off.  They  had 
been  known  to  spawn,  trying  to  ascend  the  jet  for 
that  purpose,  and  depositing  their  eggs  where  the 
water  fell ;  but  the  spawn  either  was  eaten  by  their 
comrades  or  failed  to  hatch.  Under  no  circum- 
stances, however,  would  the  young  have  lived 
among  such  rapacious  giants. 

Having  amused  ourselves  sufficiently  with  the 
tame  trout,  we  turned  our  attention  once  more  to 
their  wilder  brethren ;  but  as  no  better  success 
attended  us  than  in  the  morning,  we  returned  early 
to  superintend  the  capture  of  the  white-fish.  Every 
morning  and  evening  the  Indians  and  half-breeds 
are  seen  by  pairs  in  their  canoes,  one  wielding  a 
large  net  with  a  long  wooden  handle,  and  the  other 
plying  the  paddle.  Ascending  cautiously  to  the 
eddy  below  some  prominent  rock,  the  net-man  in 
the  bow  peers  into  the  troubled  water,  and  having 
caught  sight  of  the  white-fish  lying  securely  in  his 
haven  of  rest,  casts  the  net  over  him.  The  moment 
the  net  touches  the  water  the  other  ceases  paddling, 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  47 

and  allows  the  canoe  to  settle  back  with  the  cur- 
rent ;  the  fish  thus  entangled  in  the  meshes  is  lifted 
out  and  thrown  into  the  boat.  The  net  is  about 
four  feet  across,  the  rim  is  of  wood,  and  the  handle 
is  bent  at  the  end  so  as  to  afford  a  secure  hold. 
Nothing  but  the  practised  eye  of  the  native  can  dis- 
tinguish, amid  the  foam  and  spray  and  broken  water, 
the  dim  and  varying  outline  of  the  fish.  Many  are 
frequently  taken  at  one  cast,  and  they  are  sold, 
large  and  small,  for  five  cents  apiece. 

Although  undoubtedly  delicious  eating,  fresh  from 
the  cold  water  of  Lake  Superior,  white-fish  are  not 
superior  in  flavor  to  their  smaller  brethren,  the  lake 
herring.  The  latter,  so  closely  resembling  the  for- 
mer as  to  be  only  distinguishable  by  the  sharper 
projection  of  the  lower  jaw,  are  taken  with  the  na- 
tural brown  fly  that  has  been  already  described. 
Differing  little,  if  at  all,  from  the  cisco  of  Lake 
Ontario,  they  rise  with  a  bolder  leap  at  the  natural 
fly,  and  their  break  is  as  vigorous  and  determined 
as  that  of  the  trout.  They  do  not  seem,  except  on 
rare  occasions,  to  take  the  artificial  fly,  but  with 
bait  not  only  furnish  pleasant  sport  for  ladies,  but 
an  admirable  dish  for  the  table. 

The  lake  herring  is  found  in  many  of  the  extensive 
waters  of  the  West,  but  being  smaller  than  the 
white-fish,  is  overshadowed  by  the  reputation  of  the 
latter.  It  is  a  pretty  fish,  bites  freely  and  plays 
well,  but  having  to  contend  in  delicacy  against  the 
white-fish,  and  in  vigor  against  the  trout,  it  does 
not  receive  the  attention  it  deserves.  Early  in  July 


48  LAKE   SUPERIOE. 

they  collect  at  the  Sault  in  millions,  filling  every 
eddy  of  the  rapids  and  crowding  the  canal,  and  de- 
vour the  dead  and  living  phrygahidce.  Later  they 
retire  to  deep  water. 

It  being  now  apparent  that  the  trout  did  not  in- 
tend to  accept  our  delusions  as  veritable  insects, 
and  as  fish  of  three  and  four  pounds  had  been  taken 
with  minnow,  much  to  our  envy,  Don  determined 
to  try  the  bait.  There  are  several  species  of  min- 
now captured  from  among  the  rocks  of  the  Sault 
in  shrimp-nets,  but  the  favorite  is  a  peculiarly  shaped 
fish  bearing  the  euphonious  title  of  cock-a-doosh. 
What  the  name  signifies,  either  in  French  or  Chip- 
pewa,  we  could  not  ascertain  ;  but  the  broad,  round 
head  and  slim  tail  remind  one  of  a  pollywog,  which 
of  all  created  things  it  most  resembles.  The  cock- 
a-doosh  is  a  muscular  little  fellow,  and  not  appear- 
ing to  mind  a  hook  thrust  through  him,  furnishes  a 
lively,  attractive  bait. 

At  the  suggestion  of  some  gentlemen  who  were 
old  habitues,  and  who  recommended  to  us  a  couple 
of  men  that  had  accompanied  them  on  former  trips 
up  the  lake,  we  had  determined  to  discard  our  pre- 
sent boatmen,  although  without  cause  of  complaint, 
and  engage  Frank  and  Charley  Biron  to  accompany 
us  into  the  woods.  We  had  laid  in  our  supplies  of 
food,  all  of  which,  except  the  tent,  the  liquor,  solidi- 
fied milk,  and  a  few  especial  luxuries  were  purchased 
in  the  village  stores,  had  made  our  preparation  for 
departure  in  the  morning,  and  devoted  the  afternoon 
to  fishing  the  little  rapids. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  49 

Our  present  men  had  already  ascertained  our  in- 
tended change,  and  we  had  hardly  pushed  off  before 
old  Joe  began  upon  us.  He  spoke  French,  the  lan- 
guage of  communication  between  the  natives  and 
travellers,  and  never  shall  I  forget  his  reproachful 
tone  and  manner.  Perfectly  respectful,  he  pictured 
our  enormities  and  unkindness  in  such  eloquent 
words  that  we  hung  our  heads  in  shame. 

Never  before  had  he,  the  chief  of  the  Melicetes, 
acquainted  as  he  was  with  the  whole  length  of  the 
lake,  been  displaced  for  younger  men.  The  young 
men  were  good  voyageurs — that  he  did  not  dispute  ; 
but  was  it  reasonable  to  prefer  them  to  one  who  had 
lived  his  whole  life  in  the  woods,  or  was  it  right  to 
brand  with  disgrace  a  guide  who  for  two  days  had 
served  us,  as  we  admitted,  faithfully  ?  Unusual,  in- 
deed, was  it  to  change  the  men,  and  should  he  have 
this  discredit  cast  upon  him  ?  He  had  not  been  en- 
gaged positively  to  accompany  us  ;  but  had  we  not 
spoken  to  him  and  asked  his  advice  ?  Was  he  not 
justified  in  expecting  it?  He  was  sorry  and  hurt 
that  we  should  have  done  so ;  he  had  been  pleased 
with  us ;  he  knew  that  he  could  have  pleased  us ; 
but  could  he  rest  under  such  an  imputation  ?  Were 
younger  men  better  boatmen  than  he  ?  Were  they 
better  acquainted  with  the  lake  ?  Were  we  dis- 
satisfied with  him  so  far?  Why,  then,  had  we 
changed,  unless  indeed  to  offend  him?  His  feel- 
ings were  wounded,  and  he  felt  sure  that  we  must 
regret  our  injustice.  If  we  said  that  we  had  been 
advised  to  do  so,  it  must  have  been  by  persons  who 
3 


50  LAKE  SUPERIOE. 

did  not  know  him  or  had  some  unworthy  object; 
and  should  we  have  done  so  great  a  wrong  without 
more  inquiry?  "No,  messieurs;  this  is  the  first 
time  I  have  been  turned  away  for  younger  men." 

It  is  impossible  to  give  his  language,  for  Joe,  al- 
though usually  taciturn,  burst  forth  with  an  over- 
whelming flow  of  eloquence,  showed  us  our  conduct 
in  such  a  light  that  we  would  gladly  have  retracted, 
and  compelled  us  to  take  refuge  behind  our  ignorance 
of  the  customs  of  the  place.  Disclaiming  the  intention 
to  cast  a  slur  upon  him,  we  expressed  the  fullest  con- 
fidence in  his  abilities,  and  said  that  were  it  not  too 
late  we  should  cancel  our  other  engagement.  Some- 
what mollified,  the  pleasant  expression  returned  to 
the  old  brave's  countenance  ere  we  reached  the 
little  rapids,  where  the  excitement  of  fishing  di- 
verted our  attention. 

Don  here  met  with  his  first  success  with  the  cock- 
a-doosh,  striking  and  killing,  after  a  protracted  strug- 
gle of  twenty  minutes,  a  fine  trout  of  three  pounds. 
The  rapidity  of  the  current,  which  flowed  deep  and 
strong  without  an  eddy,  gave  the  fish  a  great  advan 
tage,  and  tried  the  rod  to  the  utmost.  The  hook, 
from  its  size  taking  a  better  hold  than  the  diminu- 
tive fly-hooks,  remained  firm  and  enabled  Don  at 
last  to  bring  his  prey  to  the  net — and  kill  our  first 
large  fish  in  the  waters  of  Lake  Superior. 

Having  fished  faithfully,  but  in  vain,  for  a  mate, 
although  we  saw  in  a  deep  pool  quite  a  number  as 
large  or  larger,  and  as  my  fly  would  still  only  at- 
tract the  small  ones,  we  headed  once  more  up-stream, 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  51 

The  two  miles'  return  was  slower  than  our  descent, 
and  gave  us  time  to  admire  the  scenery,  to  watch 
the  vessels  passing  through  the  narrow  channel  of 
the  shallow  river,  and  note  the  decaying  woodwork 
of  the  old  fort  that  once  did  good  service  against 
the  Indian,  but  would  be  a  ludicrous  structure  in 
modern  warfare.  On  arriving  at  the  Sault  the  finish- 
ing touches  were  given  to  our  preparations  for  camp- 
ing out,  and  a  wagon  engaged  to  transport  our 
stores  by  land  to  the  head  of  the  canal,  where  our 
new  men  and  their  barge  were  to  meet  us  early  on 
the  morrow.  We  parted  with  Joe,  who,  however, 
that  evening  and  next  morning  heaped  coals  of  fire 
on  our  heads  by  doing  us  innumerable  little  favors 
in  the  way  of  suggestions,  advice,  and  physical  aid. 

The  day  following,  as  the  last  article  was  placed 
upon  the  cart,  we  were  informed  that  neither 
eggs  nor  bread  was  to  be  had  in  the  village.  Our 
horror,  or  rather  mine — for  Don  little  knew  what  a 
dearth  of  eggs  implied — can  only  be  appreciated  by 
an  experienced  cook  ;  bread  was  a  minor  matter,  as 
we  had  ship-biscuit,  but  eggs  were  indispensable. 
It  appeared  on  inquiry  that  the  baker  had  been  heat- 
ing his  own  coppers,  as  the  fast  men  express  it,  in- 
stead of  his  oven,  and  was  now  sleeping  off  the  effects 
of  his  debauch ;  and  hens,  feeling  their  importance  in 
that  desolate  country,  only  lay  on  special  occasions. 

While  we  were  in  a  condition  bordering  upon 
despair,  uncertain  whether  to  proceed,  the  steamer 
Illinois  hove  in  sight.  Never  was  an  arrival  more 
opportune,  for  one  of  the  numerous  ventures  of  the 


52  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

bar-keepers  on  these  vessels  is  to  supply  the  country 
with  eggs,  and  recollections  of  the  baskets  full  that 
we  had  seen  hanging  from  the  cross-beams  of  the 
City  of  Cleveland  came  vividly  to  our  minds.  Leav- 
ing Don  to  purchase  the  eggs,  I  pushed  on  with  the 
baggage.  The  former  boarded  the  steamer  as  soon 
as  she  touched  the  dock,  and,  rushing  to  the  bar- 
keeper, demanded  eight  dozen  eggs.  He  was  in- 
formed, however,  that  they  were  sold  by  the  basket, 
which  contained  fifteen  dozen,  and  he  could  have  no 
less.  Then  it  was  that  Don  rose  to  the  importance 
of  the  occasion.  Others  might  have  doubted,  hesi- 
tated, or  failed  to  make  the  purchase  at  all ;  but  he, 
without  a  pause,  grasped  the  basket,  laid  down  the 
money,  and  started  for  the  head  of  the  canal.  Fif- 
teen dozen  eggs  were  a  perfect  mine  of  comfort ; 
in  their  golden  bosoms  lay  undeveloped  numberless 
egg-noggs,  delicious  cakes,  and  nppetizing  omelets, 
and  Don's  character  was  established  for  ever. 

The  wind,  strong  and  contrary,  was  dashing  foam- 
crested  waves  against  the  piers  of  the  canal,  threat- 
ening to  make  our  journey  a  slow  one  ;  our  goods 
and  chattels  were  safely  and  carefully  stowed,  fill- 
ing the  barge  as  nearly  as  was  desirable ;  we  had 
even  cast  off  and  commenced  our  voyage,  when 
through  the  canal  we  saw  approaching  a  tug-boat. 
She  was  called  the  Bacchus,  and,  like  her  jolly  pro- 
totype, willingly  lent  us  her  aid ;  and  giving  us  a 
tow,  made  our  old  boat,  for  that  occasion  at  least,  a 
fast  one.  She  tore  her  way  along,  crushing  the 
waves  with  her  high  bowr  throwing  a  mass  of  white 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  53 

water  from  her  propeller,  and  carrying  us  in  fine 
style  past  Pointe  aux  Pins,  nearly  ten  miles  of  our 
route. 

Having  left  her,  as  our  course  now  lay  more  to 
the  northward,  we  managed  with  hard  rowing,  very 
different  from  our  previous  gallant  progress,  to 
reach  Pointe  aux  Climes  or  Oak  Point,  in  time 
for  dinner.  Looming  up  at  the  distance  of  about 
six  miles,  rose  abruptly  to  the  height  of  five  hun- 
dred feet  the  bold  promontory  of  Gros  Cap,  its 
round  head  enveloped  in  driving  fog.  A  scanty 
verdure  of  pines  and  firs  covering  its  sides,  it  stood 
out  a  bold  landmark,  being  the  first  high  land  of  the 
northern  shore. 

About  half-way  between  Pointe  aux  Chenes  and 
Gros  Cap  lies  a  low  and  narrow  island,  covered  with 
small  trees  and  underbrush,  furnishing  an  admirable 
camping-ground  ;  and  the  wind  increasing  as  the 
fog  descended,  crawling  slowly  clown  the  mountain 
sides,  we  could  advance  no  further. 

All  day  long  canoes  filled  with  Indians,  taking 
advantage  of  the  to  them  favorable  wind,  passed  us 
on  their  way  to  a  grand  council  at  Mitane.  It  was 
wonderful  where  they  could  all  come  from ;  the 
men  seemed  to  carry  their  wives,  papooses,  and 
household  gods,  and  were  accompanied  by  number- 
less dogs  that  ran  along  the  shore  ;  one  party  con- 
sisted of  a  squaw  seated  at  the  bow  to  paddle,  ano- 
ther in  the  stern  to  steer,  and  a  brave  amidships 
fast  asleep ;  the  canoe  was  propelled  by  a  blanket, 
used  as  a  sail.  The  Indinns  exhibit  great  skill  in 


54  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

sailing  so  unsteady  a  boat  as  a  canoe  ;  although  to 
ordinary  mortals  it  is  difficult  to  stand  up  in  one, 
they  manage  to  sail  them  in  heavy  winds  and  over 
a  rough  sea.  This  art  appears  to  be  peculiar  to 
them,  for  I  have  never  known  it  attempted  by  the 
Canadian  voyageurs,  nor  even  by  the  half-breeds. 

The  fogs  rising  from  the  cold  waters  of  Lake  Su- 
perior are  frequent  and  dense ;  on  this  occasion  the 
moisture  settled  upon  the  bushes,  fell  from  the 
leaves  in  "large  drops,  and  dampened  the  boughs  of 
which  our  bed  was  to  be  composed.  For  this  latter 
purpose,  as  there  was  no  sapin  on  the  island,  we 
were  compelled  to  use  oak  sprouts,  a  substitute 
that  Don  at  first,  attracted  by  its  beauty  and  appa- 
rent comfort,  approved,  but  which,  when  before 
morning  the  leaves  were  pressed  flat  and  the  stems 
made  unpleasantly  prominent,  he  anathematized 
vigorously. 

After  supper  we  wandered  along  the  shore,  pick- 
ing up  the  queerly  shaped  and  oddly  colored  stones 
that  abound  on  the  Canadian  side  of  the  lake.  No 
agates  nor  amethysts,  and  none  of  the  really  beauti- 
ful pebbles,  are  to  be  obtained  south  of  Michipicot- 
ten,  but  everywhere  are  curious  specimens  to  be 
found.  Carried,  as  it  is  supposed,  by  the  ice-drift 
of  former  ages  from  their  natural  beds,  crushed  by 
the  moving  mass,  and  rounded  by  the  beating  waves, 
the  hardest  only  survive,  while  the  strangest  and 
most  incongruous  varieties  are  collected  together. 
Meeting  with  novel  specimens  at  every  step,  we 
were  continually  rejecting  what  we  had  just  selected, 


LAKE   SUPERIOE.  55 

till  we  hardly  knew  which  were  really  the  most  re 
raarkable. 

Next  morning  broke  with  the  weather  the  same, 
but  towards  mid-day  the  wind  fell.  Don  had  been 
gratified  with  his  meals  thus  far,  but  on  being  offer- 
ed rice  for  breakfast,  said  that  it  reminded  him  of 
his  European  experience,  where  rice  was  not  con- 
sidered fit  to  eat  without  being  filled  with  raisins 
and  having  goose-gravy  for  sauce.  In  fact,  he  did 
not  think  he  could  eat  it  without  these  accompani- 
ments. Before  the  trip  was  over,  however,  he  found 
that  in  spite  of  European  authority  and  the  absence 
of  goose-gravy,  rice  was  quite  palatable. 

By  hard  work  we  reached  the  camping-ground  at 
Gros  Cap,  a  small  island  almost  adjoining  the  main 
land,  which  is  too  rocky  and  precipitous  to  locate  a 
tent,  and  having  arranged  our  camp  amid  the  driv- 
ing fog,  essayed  the  fishing  off  the  point.  Fortune 
did  not  smile  upon  us;  and  having  killed  one  fish 
for  supper,  we  were  glad  to  escape  from  the  cold, 
damp  air,  and  return  to  the  warmth  of  the  fire. 

The  appearance  of  the  rocks  in  this  region  is  re- 
markable. Not  only  are  they  veined  with  metal 
and  quartz,  running  in  long  seams,  but  they  are  cut 
up  by  deep  furrows,  at  the  bottom  of  which  are 
strewn  broken  and  pounded  stones.  The  origin  of 
the  furrows,  or  scratches  as  the  geologists  term 
them,  hns  been  differently  explained  ;  some  writers 
attributing  them  to  the  action  of  water,  and  others, 
with  probably  the  correct  theory,  alleging  they  were 
made  by  the  ice-drift  of  former  asres.  The  ice-drift 


56  LAKE   SUPERIOR, 

was  the  accumulation  of  snow  and  ice  in  the  neigh, 
borhood  of  the  north  pole,  its  increasing  masses 
forcing  their  way  towards  warmer  latitudes,  and 
carrying  with  them  immense  rocks  and  boulders. 
The  drift  formerly  extended  far  beyond  its  present 
limits,  pouring  into  the  deep  water  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, and  must  have  crushed  and  riven  whatever  lay 
in  its  course — cutting  deep  furrows  whenever  the 
boulders  it  was  carrying  came  in  contact  with  the 
unyielding  native  rock.  The  character  of  the  rifts, 
which  do  not  resemble  the  effects  of  water,  their 
uniformity  of  direction,  and  the  pounded  character 
of  the  stones,  confirm  this  view. 

Whatever  may  have  been  their  origin,  they  are 
troublesome  to  cross,  forming  as  they  do  abrupt  gul- 
lies running  from  high  up  the  hills  into  the  deep 
water,  and  occurring  at  every  few  hundred  feet. 
But  where  they  pass  below  the  surface,  they  and  the 
natural  caverns  worn  by  the  waves  form  admira- 
ble retreats  for  the  timid  trout.  For  the  whole 
length  of  the  shore,  the  broken  rocks  lie  piled  up 
in  the  water,  and  at  some  places  extend  far  out ;  as 
they  furnish  the  best  locality  for  sport,  although 
generally  the  angler  has  but  a  short  distance  to  cast, 
occasionally  a  long  stretch  has  to  be  made.  The  wind 
is  frequently  adverse  or  across  his  line,  and  as  he 
must  reach  a  particular  spot  in  spite  of  all  obstacles, 
his  capabilities  are  often  put  to  the  severest  test. 

To  encounter  and  overcome  difficulty  is  the  true 
sportsman's  delight,  almost  as  much  so  as  to  see 
the  silver-sided  beauties  of  the  lake  rise  suddenly 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  57 

from  their  fairy  caverns  and  seize  his  fly,  to  feel 
them  struggling  and  fighting  for  their  liberty,  jump- 
ing again  and  again,  and  finally  to  watch  their  fading 
brilliancy  enveloped  in  the  fatal  net.  The  trout  of 
this  region  resemble  the  sea-trout  of  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  in  their  habits  and  appearance.  They 
have  the  same  pearly  whiteness  on  their  sides  and 
bellies,  heightened  by  the  minute  specks  of  carmine  ; 
the  same  vigor  and  dauntless  courage,  the  same  savage 
voracity,  and  the  same  way  of  springing  out  of  wa- 
ter when  they  are  on  the  line.  They  rise  unexpect- 
edly with  a  rapidity  resembling  fury,  grasp  their 
object  with  determination,  and  on  being  struck,  fight 
bravely.  Their  flesh,  also,  is  equally  red  and  firm, 
their  fins  of  a  pure  color  but  not  quite  so  delicate, 
and  their  shape  identically  similar.  Of  course  they 
could  never  have  ascended  from  the  sea,  but  are  in- 
debted for  these  peculiarities  to  the  pureness  of  the 
water  of  the  lake,  as  the  sea-trout  are  to  that  of  the 
gulf.  And  whereas  the  sea-trout  lose  their  bril- 
liancy on  ascending  the  rivers,  so  do  these  of  the 
lake — a  fact  which  we  afterwards  ascertained — be- 
coming even  darker  colored  than  their  brethren  of 
the  lower  regions,  and  obtaining  the  reputation 
among  the  ignorant  natives,  from  their  changed  ap- 
pearance, of  being  poisonous. 

Another  party  of  fishermen  had  located  on  Gros 
Cap  island,  our  tents  being  pitched  within  a  few 
yards  of  each  other,  and  we  passed  a  pleasant  even- 
ing in  their  society ;  our  pipes — for  I  had  after 
much  difficulty  persuaded  Don  thnt  cigars  were 
3* 


58  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

made  for  the  club-house,  not  the  wilderness — suggest- 
ed inquiries  about  the  native  weed  called  Kinnikin- 
nick,  which  the  Indians  in  their  grand  peace  councils 
used  before  the  advent  of  the  white  mnn,  and  which 
in  a  perverted  form  had  lent  its  name  to  the  tobacco 
we  were  using.  It  appeared  that  the  identical  weed 
was  growing  close  around  us,  and  although  the  In- 
dians of  their  party  laughed  with  contempt  at  any 
one  using  it  when  pure  tobacco  was  to  be  had,  we 
induced  them  to  collect  and  prepare  a  small  quan- 
tity. 

The  preparation  consists  of  drying  it  thoroughly 
by  the  fire  until  it  is  brown,  and  then  pulverizing  it 
by  friction  in  a  cloth.  The  operation  was  soon 
completed,  but,  although  we  tried  it  mixed  and  un- 
adulterated both,  we  were  forced  to  admit  it  had 
absolutely  no  flavor  whatever.  Perhaps  it  wanted 
more  time  or  care  in  the  curing,  as  the  men  com- 
plained of  the  dampness. 

Our  new-made  acquaintances  left  next  morning 
early,  and  Don  and  myself  took  a  late  breakfast  and 
were  joined  by  an  unexpected  visitor.  A  quantity 
of  cold  potatoes  and  ship-biscuit,  intended  for  our 
men's  breakfast,  had  been  temporarily  placed  on  a 
neighboring  log,  and  while  we  were  partaking  of 
warmer  edibles,  a  few  steps  off  a  pretty  little  ground 
squirrel  ran  out,  chirruped  a  merry  good-morning, 
and  proceeded  as  a  matter  of  right  to  help  himself  to 
the  cold  victuals.  He  was  sleek,  bright-colored,  and 
fat,  evidently  accustomed  to  many  such  repasts ; 
and  after  trying  a  piece  of  potato  and  finding  it 


LAKE   SUPEKIOR. 


59 


was  good,  he  took  up  a  whole  one  in  his  mouth  and 
ran  off  with  it.  It  was  larger  than  his  head,  and 
looked  droll  enough  in  his  mouth,  stretched  to  the 
utmost ;  he  had  not  gone  far  before  his  sharp  teeth 
cut  through,  and  taking  out  a  piece,  let  the  rest  fall. 
Not  taking  the  trouble  to  pick  it  up,  he  returned 
with  another  little  cry  to  the  dish,  and  this  time 
chancing  on  a  smaller  one,  carried  it  off  in  safety. 

Having  stowed  that  away,  he  returned,  and  being 
satiated  with  potatoes,  tasted  the  biscuit,  which  had 
been  soaked  in  grease  and  was  tender.  The  piece 
he  selected  had  a  larger  piece  hanging  to  it,  and  to 
see  him  pull  the  latter  off  with  his  fore-paws  was 
highly  amusing.  The  biscuit,  on  trial,  proving  ac- 
ceptable, with  a  little  flirt  and  another  cry,  he 
seized  quite  a  large  piece,  and  with  a  glance  at  us 
as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  am  only  taking  a  fair  rent  for 
the  use  of  my  land,"  he  ran  off  with  it  in  the  same 
lively,  confident  way.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight,  and 
we  stopped  our  meal  to  watch  his  pranks. 


MOCTIJ   OF  THE   AGAWA. 


60  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 


CHAPTER  III. 

GROS  CAP  is  the  first  of  the  rocky  hills  that  form 
the  northern  boundary  of  Lake  Superior,  and  which, 
with  the  higher  chain  of  mountains  further  inland, 
divide  the  streams  that  run  to  the  southward  from 
those  that  empty  into  Hudson's  Bay.  The  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  that  wonderful  commercial  under- 
taking that  had  stretched  its  arms  across  our  con- 
tinent, and  which,  after  the  destruction  of  the  beaver, 
has  lost  its  influence  and  been  shorn  of  its  power, 
has  stations  along  the  coast  of  Lake  Superior  at  the 
mouths  of  the  various  rivers  of  importance.  At 
the  Sault  on  the  Michipicotten,  the  Pic,  and  the 
Neepigon,  they  have  planted  their  trading  posts,  and 
although  their  glory  has  departed,  they  are  still 
kept  up  and  do  some  business.  These  stations  were 
convenient  stopping-places  for  the  voyageurs,  and 
were  located  at  the  mouths  of  rivers,  of  which  the 
fountain-heads  communicated  by  a  portage  with  a 
different  system  of  waters.  For  instance,  the  Michi- 
picotten is  the  Indian  highway  to  Hudson's  Bay,  and 
both  on  it  and  on  the  rivers  adjoining  that  empty 
into  the  latter,  has  the  great  Company  its  stations: 
The  study  of  the  results  that  that  purely  commercia 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  61 

undertaking  has  achieved,  from  the  Saguenay  River 
throughout  the  British  Provinces  to  the  far  West, 
is  an  instructive  evidence  of  the  power  of  man  un- 
restricted and  untrammelled.  In  various  ways  it 
has  left  its  mark  for  ages. 

Gros  Cap  is  a  perpendicular  bluff,  shooting  straight 
up  from  the  water,  and  with  its  rocky  clefts  just 
furnishing  foothold  for  the  active  fisherman  ;  pieces 
of  rock  seem  to  have  been  broken  off  and  thrown 
into  the  water  at  its  base,  and  among  these  trout 
are  numerous.  No  place  furnishes  a  pleasanter 
camping-ground,  although  not  directly  at  the  fish- 
ing ground,  and  few  spots  afford  better  sport.  As 
fortune  was  not  particularly  propitious,  and  our 
journey  was  indefinitely  extensive,  we  took  advan- 
tage of  a  calm  that  had  settled  down  upon  the  lake 
to  push  on  across  Goulais  Bay,  which  lay  as  calm 
as  a  mirror,  bathed  in  the  glorious  reflection  of  a 
cloudless  sky. 

Farther  out,  Isle  Parisienne  seemed  floating  on 
the  water,  while  inside  of  us  the  bleak  sides  of  the 
abrupt  hills  were  reflected  in  long  wavy  lines.  The 
sun  had  climbed  the  eastern  sky  and  poured  down  a 
flood  of  warmth  and  light  in  strange  contrast  with 
the  tempestuous  weather  of  several  days.  The 
atmosphere,  instead  of  being  dense  with  impenetra- 
ble fog,  was  exquisitely  transparent,  and  the  water, 
that  perfect  ornament  to  every  landscape,  stretched 
away  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 

"  Dark  behind  it  rose  the  forest, 
Rose  the  black  and  gloomy  pine -trees; 


62  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

Rose  the  firs  with  cones  upon  them, 
Bright  before  it  beat  the  weather, 
Beat  the  clear  and  sunny  water, 
Beat  the  shining  Big-Sea-Water." 

Such  a  day  is  admirably  adapted  for  taking  lake- 
trout,  and  no  sooner  had  we  entered  the  bay  than  our 
lines  were  arranged  for  the  purpose. 

The  ISTamaycush — pronounced  more  nearly  like 
NamsBgoose,  with  the  accent  on  the  second  syllable — 
the  Salmo  Amethystus  of  our  ichthyologists,  the 
Truite  du  Lac  of  the  Canadian,  and  the  MacJcinaw 
Salmon  of  the  American,  inhabits  Lake  Superior 
throughout  its  length  and  breadth,  is  captured  along 
the  shores  and  in  the  bays,  and  when  smoked,  fur- 
nishes the  principal  food  of  the  Indian.  It  prefers  a 
rocky  uneven  bottom,  where  the  water  is  neither  ex- 
cessively deep  nor  very  shallow,  and  during  the 
summer  months  bites  readily  at  any  of  the  ordinary 
t rolling-spoons.  An  ivory  imitation-fish  is  especial- 
ly attractive ;  and  an  old-fashioned  bowl-spoon, 
elongated  with  bright  tin  on  one  side  and  red  on 
the  other,  is  in  general  use. 

Whenever  the  Indian  is  paddling  in  his  canoe 
over  any  of  the  favorite  localities,  he  trolls  with  the 
latter  bait,  which  is  sold  at  the  stores  in  the  Sault ; 
and  to  make  it  imitate  more  accurately  the  herring 
it  is  intended  to  represent,  he  attaches  the  line  to  his 
paddle.  By  this  means  a  peculiar  darting  motion  is 
givren  to  the  spoon  which  is  said  to  be  very  fatal. 
Buel's  patent  spoons,  whether  with  feathers  or  with- 
out, are  successful ;  and  so  little  particular  is  this 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  63 

voracious  fish,  that  he  will  bite  at  a  white  rag 
attached  to  the  bare  hook. 

Once  struck,  however,  and  he  surrenders  without 
an  effort,  appearing  even  to  swim  gently  forward, 
which  conduct,  although  natural  in  a  man  under 
similar  circumstances,  is  not  expected  in  a  fish.  So 
slight  is  his  resistance  that  it  is  difficult  at  times  to 
tell  whether  he  is  on  the  line  or  not ;  and  although, 
of  course,  on  approaching  close  to  the  boat  he  flounces 
and  struggles  a  little  before  he  can  be  gaffed,  he 
affords  the  sportsnym  no  excitement  whatever.  He 
may  also  be  taken  in  deep  water  with  a  long  line 
and  sinker,  with  the  lake-herring  for  bait,  and  is  thus 
during  the  fall  captured  of  enormous  size. 

He  is  found  occasionally  to  weigh  seventy  pounds, 
and  perhaps  more ;  a  handsome  fish  to  look  at,  he  is 
also  excellent  to  eat,  and  with  the  peculiar  confor- 
mation of  the  trout,  he  combines  its  elegance  and 
the  rich  redness  of  flesh  of  the  true  salmon.  He  is 
rarely  taken  by  trolling  to  exceed  ten  pounds  in 
weight,  and  on  the  north  shore  more  frequently  of 
five  or  six ;  but  of  that  size  is  an  invaluable  addition 
to  the  fisherman's  larder.  He  may  be  either  boiled 
or  broiled,  and  makes  a  capital  foundation  for  a 
chowder.  He  must  by  no  means  be  confounded 
with  the  siskawit,  which  is  only  taken  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  lake,  rarely  exceeds  seven  pounds,  and  is 
so  fat  as  almost  to  dissolve  in  the  frying-pan — at 
least  we  were  thus  informed  by  our  guides,  for  we 
took  none  ourselves. 

The  best  time  to  take  them  is  in  calm  weather, 


64  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

because  on  such  days  they  rise  nearer  the  surface 
and  are  able  to  see  the  bait  farther.  If  the  wind  is 
strong  or  the  boat  moving  rapidly,  they  will  not 
bite ;  in  fact,  the  boat  should  not  be  sailed  or  rowed 
faster  than  three  miles  an  hour,  and  a  common 
hand-line  of  fifty  or  a  hundred  yards  is  sufficiently 
good  tackle.  They  are  persecuted  by  the  aborigines, 
who  capture'  vast  numbers  for  winter  use ;  but  we 
never  caught  more  than  a  dozen  in  a  day,  as  we 
never  fished  exclusively  for  them. 

Goulais  Bay  is  one  of  their  favorite  haunts,  and 
we  were  soon  made  aware  of  their  presence.  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  striking  the  first,  and  felt  some 
anxiety,  it  being  a  new  species  to  us,  till  he  was 
safely  gaffed  and  landed.  He  weighed  four  pounds 
and  a  half,  and  we  fairly  feasted  our  eyes  over  his 
beautiful  shape.  Don  soon  had  one  still  larger,  and 
we  took  six  while  crossing  from  the  headland  of 
Gros  Cap  to  Goulais  Point.  They  differed  a  little 
in  size,  the  largest  being  six  pounds,  but  not  in 
shape  or  appearance,  and  were  in  their  way  as  ex- 
quisite a  collection  of  fish  as  ever  were  taken. 

We  could  doubtless  have  killed  many  more  if  we 
had  wished  to  remain  for  the  purpose ;  but  the  Har- 
mony River,  our  destination,  was  a  long  way  off, 
and  the  sun  was  running  across  the  sky  at  a  rapid  rate. 

We  stopped  to  dine  at  Goulais  Point,  and  took 
advantage  of  the  opportunity  to  bathe ;  the  water, 
close  to  the  shore  where  it  was  shallow  and  had 
been  heated  by  the  sun's  rays,  was  warm,  but  occa- 
sionally streaks  cold  enough  almost  to  freeze  the 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  65 

blood  were  encountered.  The  Namoegoose,  on  being 
prepared  for  the  pot,  were  found  to  contain  spawn 
well  advanced,  and  were  exceedingly  fat. 

The  dinner  being  over  and  the  men  rested,  our 
slow  progress  was  resumed,  and  we  passed  Maple 
Island — Isle  aux  Arables — into  Batchawaung  Bay. 
The  sun  in  his  downward  course  marked  out  a 
broad  golden  path  upon  the  still  surface  of  the  lake, 
vividly  recalling  to  our  minds  that  most  exquisite 
picture  in  "Hiawatha"  of  the  chieftain's  departure 
for  the  "land  of  the  Hereafter;"  which  now  had 
the  charm  of  a  peculiar  interest,  as  we  were  floating 
upon  the  very  waters  where  the  scene  is  laid : 

"  And  the  evening  sun,  descending, 
Set  the  clouds  on  fire  with  redness ; 
Burned  the  broad  sky,  like  a  prairie, 
Left  upon  the  level  water 
One  long  track  and  trail  of  splendor, 
Down  whose  stream,  as  down  a  river, 
Westward,  westward  Hiawatha 
Sailed  into  the  fiery  sunset, 
Sailed  into  the  purple  vapors, 
Sailed  into  the  dusk  of  evening." 

Thus  dreamily  murmured  Don,  as  with  his  back 
against  our  biscuit-barrel,  and  his  feet  upon  our 
butter-tub,  he  gazed  upon  the  dying  glories  of  the 
orb  of  day ;  and  .now,  as  the  last  glimmering  spark 
sank  below  the  horizon,  the  strange  pale  light  of 
the  north  crept  over  the  sky;  the  stillness  of  death 
brooded  upon  land  and  water,  and  ephemerce,  issuing 
from  their  larva  state,  burst  into  winged  life  and 


66  LAKE   SUPERIOE. 

followed  the  course  of  our  boat.  Fronting  us  was 
the  long  island  called  by  the  same  name  as  the  bay 
beyond  it,  and  towering  far  above  were  the  moun- 
tains of  the  mainland,  cleft  in  two  places  where  the 
Harmony  and  Batchawaung  Rivers  had  broken  their 
way  to  the  lake ;  to  the  right  extended  the  bay  for 
many  miles,  and  to  the  left  stretched  in  its  immen- 
sity the  trackless  "  Gitche-Gutnee,  Big-Sea-Water." 
Darkness  approaches  slowly  in  northern  latitudes; 
our  oarsmen  were  weary,  and  our  pace  was  mode- 
rate, but  we  had  to  make  a  long  detour  to  reach 
the  river  beyond,  and  it  was  determined  to  camp  on 
the  island.  Reaching  the  upper  end,  we  landed,  and 
our  men  searched  for  a  favorable  spot.  One  pecu- 
liarity of  a  voyage ur  is  his  antipathy  to  camping  at 
an  unusual  place ;  warned  by  his  experience  of  the 
inconveniences  that  attend  such  a  course,  the  diffi- 
culty of  making  a  comfortable  bed,  properly  secur- 
ing the  tent,  and  arranging  the  fire,  he  will  endure 
considerable  extra  labor  to  reach  a  spot  with  which 
he  is  acquainted.  Therefore  we  were  not  surprised 
when  Frank  reappeared  and  announced  the  imprac- 
ticability of  establishing  our  camp. 

The  day  had  been  hard  for  the  men;  the  weather 
had  been  hot  and  the  journey  long,  and  it  gave  me 
pleasure  to  hear  Don  propose  that  we  should  row 
for  a  time.  He  was  rather  unaccustomed  to  the  ex- 
ercise, but  kept  up  bravely  as  we  continued  our 
course  round  the  island  and  across  towards  the  main 
shore.  The  pale  light  still  filled  the  atmosphere  to 
that  degree  that,  at  nine  o'clock,  we  could  read  fine 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  67 

print ;  the  ephemerce  still  followed  us  with  fluttering 
wings,  and  whisks  extended ;  the  death-like  calmness 
still  rested  on  the  unruffled  water.  At  the  point  of 
the  island  were  four  pretty  little  islets  clustered  to- 
gether, lending  additional  beauty  to  the  bay  em- 
bosomed in  majestic  hills.  The  way  seemed  length- 
ened out  amazingly,  and  our  arms  were  weary,  and 
the  night  had  closed  in  darkness  ere  we  reached  the 
mouth  of  the  Harmony  River,  the  Auchipoiscebie 
of  the  Indians.  Here  we  found  an  old  camping- 
ground,  almost  a  cleared  field  in  size,  and  the  rem- 
nants of  several  wigwams.  Collecting  the  poles  of 
the  latter,  we  built  a  rousing  fire  that  illuminated 
the  surrounding  forest  and  cast  a  lurid  glow  upon 
our  active  men.  By  its  light  we  landed  our  stores, 
pitched  our  tent,  established  our  quarters,  and  re- 
tired to  rest. 

We  had  made  a  long  thirty-five  miles,  against 
unfavorable  circumstances,  felt  exhausted  but 
thankful  we  had  arrived  at  last,  and  taking  a  little 
refreshment,  drank  good-luck  to  ourselves  and  the 
Harmony.  Just  as  I  was  about  closing  my  eyes  to 
sublunary  things,  Don  remarked  : 

"There  is  a  serious  question  I  have  to  put  to  you. 
To-day's  journey  has  probably  been  exceptionally 
slow  and  tedious,  but  how  long,  under  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances, do  you  think  it  would  require  to  come 
from  NQW  York  to  the  Harmony  River?" 

Next  morning  early  having  broiled  a  Nama3gooso 
for  breakfast  and  found  it  both  well  cooked  and  ex- 
cellent, we  ascended  the  level  water  that  extends 


68  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

for  some  distance  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The 
day  was  fair  and  the  wind  favorable,  the  birds  sang 
their  welcome  merrily,  and  the  trees  bowed  grace- 
fully as  we  passed.  An  old  duck  and  her  young 
were  startled  by  our  approach,  and  fled,  making  such 
use  of  their  powerful  legs  as  to  outstrip  us  readily. 
A  short  distance  beyond  the  smooth  water,  and 
almost  three  miles  from  the  lake,  we  came  to  the 
lower  fall  or  pitch  of  the  stream,  which  had  become 
quite  narrow,  and  there  we  made  our  camp. 

It  was  a  lovely  spot ;  the  thick  trees  formed  n 
dense  shade  over  our  tent,  the  trembling  cascade  fur- 
nished continual  music;  opposite,  a  rivulet  of  purest 
ice-water  emptied  into  the  stream ;  in  front  the 
river  spread  out  into  a  broad,  quiet  pool ;  while 
through  intervening  trees  and  bushes  we  could  catch 
glimpses  of  the  high  falls  a  few  hundred  yards  above 
us.  Previous  camps  had  been  located  at  the  same 
place,  and  a  path  had  been  cut  to  the  rock  close  by, 
from  which  we  could  fish  below  the  cascade. 

Hastily  disembarking  such  things  as  we  had  brought 
with  us,  impatient  to  explore  the  river,  and  tanta- 
lized by  half  glimpses  of  the  cataract  beyond,  we 
crossed  the  stream  in  the  barge,  and  guided  by 
Frank,  followed  a  well-worn  pathway  in  the  woods. 
A  few  hundred  steps  brought  us  to  the  bank,  where 
a  glorious  prospect  greeted  us.  The  stream,  rising 
among  the  summits  of  the  hills,  pitched  down 
over  a  slanting  precipice,  seaming  its  brown  face  with 
irregular,  delicate  lines  of  silver.  Issuing  from  a 
mountain  gorge,  so  far  above  as  to  be  scarcely  dis- 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  69 

tinguishablc,  it  leaped  over  pitch  after  pitch,  collect- 
ing in  deep  pools  at  every  break,  and  whirling  round 
or  dashing  over  huge  boulders  in  its  course,  till  de- 
scending the  last  shute,  the  main  body  tumbled  in 
one  heavy  wave  into  a  dark,  turbid  pool  at  the  base. 
From  either  shore  the  evergreen  trees  projected,  lean- 
ing over  as  if  to  protect  the  uneasy  river,  and  a 
heavy  trunk,  originally  torn  up  and  borne  along  by  a 
spring  freshet,  had  lodged  upon  a  broad,  bare,  rocky 
island  in  the  centre.  Numerous  little  rills  branched 
off  from  the  main  stream,  and  forming  innumerable 
fantastic  miniature  water-falls,  sought  different  paths 
to  the  lower  level.  The  rocks  were  bare  and  mostly 
of  a  dull  brown,  constituting  a  strong  contrast  to 
the  green  fringing  of  the  mountain  sides,  and  were 
worn  away  by  the  immense  volumes  of  water  and 
ice  that  forced  their  way  through  in  early  spring 
and  swept  them  clear  of  vegetation. 

At  the  foot  of  the  lower  shute  there  was  a  seeth- 
ing cauldron,  white  with  foam  near  the  fall,  and 
black  from  its  great  depth  in  the  centre  ;  below,  the 
wearied  stream  rushed  down  a  stretch  of  rapids,  and 
sought  temporary  relief  in  a  broad,  quiet  basin  that 
reached  to  the  first  of  the  cascades,  close  to  our 
camp,  and  in  which  the  water  seemed  absolutely 
motionless. 

Hardly  giving  ourselves  time  to  note  and  enjoy 
the  beauties  of  this  most  romantic  spot,  and  urged 
on  by  the  sportsman's  instinct  that  looks  to  the  at- 
tractions of  nature,  after  having  tried  for  game,  we 
commenced  (asting  in  the  rapids.  Our  eiforts  were 


70  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

rewarded,  and  we  landed  some  fine  fish  of  from  one 
to  two  pounds,  and  had  grand  sport  with  them  in 
the  current  and  eddies.  Putting  on  for  a  tail-fly  a 
large,  full,  brown  hackle  with  scarlet  body  and  sil- 
ver twist,  I  at  last  advanced  cautiously  towards  the 
black  pool  below  the  shute,  and  keeping  well  out  of 
sight,  cast  it  across  the  boiling  water ;  it  fell  among 
a  mass  of  whirling  foam,  but  being  swept  down, 
passed  over  a  portion  of  the  dark  water,  and  was 
ravenously  seized  by  a  fine  trout. 

Astounded  at  the  unexpected  consequence,  the 
frightened  fish  darted  hither  and  thither  about  the 
pool  until,  finding  his  efforts  to  free  himself  vain,  he 
rushed  to  wards  the  rapids  below.  Here  the  rod  and 
line  were  powerless  to  restrain  him,  and  he  made 
the  reel  spin  as  I  followed  along  the  rocks.  How- 
ever, with  care'  he  was  guided  through  the  clangers 
of  the  foaming  current,  strong  eddies,  and  project- 
ing rocks,  and  was  led  after  a  long  battle  into  a  spot 
of  comparative  quiet,  near  an  old  dead  tree  that 
projected  over  the  water. 

Being  myself  prevented  from  approaching  by  the 
branches  of  this  tree,  I  instructed  Frank  to  watch 
a  good  chance  and  use  the  net ;  but  never  shall  I 
forget  his  look  as,  after  two  or  three  vain  attempts 
— for  he  was  not  altogether  skilful — the  upper  fly 
caught  in  his  shirt,  and  the  trout,  which  must  have 
weighed  at  least  three  pounds,  made  a  furious  dash, 
parted  the  leader,  and  escaped.  As  though  it  was 
my  fault,  instead  of  his  awkwardness,  Frank  turned 
towards  me  with  a  most  reproachful  expression, 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  71 

and  without  a  word  came  to  have  the  hook  cut  from 
his  shirt,  intimating  that  if  I  would  hook  him,  I 
could  not  expect  to  land  large  trout. 

The  fishing  below  the  falls  of  the  Harmony  was 
absolute  perfection ;  although  the  fish  were  not 
large,  that  is,  not  of  monstrous  size,  and  rarely  ex 
ceeded  two  pounds,  they  invariably  after  a  short 
struggle  took  to  the  rapids,  and  compelled  us  to 
follow  them,  at  a  pace  and  under  difficulties  that 
brought  salmon-fishing  vividly  to  our  recollection. 
The  steady  roar  of  the  falls  and  the  picturesque 
wildness  of  the  scene  added  to  the  intensity  of  the 
enjoyment,  and  served  to  occupy  our  minds  when 
not  employed  upon  our  sport.  Of  easy  access  from 
our  camp,  we  afterwards  ordinarily  visited  them 
alone,  leaving  the  men  to  attend  to  numerous  house- 
hold duties,  and  had  the  advantage  of  being  able 
to  wait  upon  ourselves. 

The  hours  passed  quickly  by,  and  when  the  calls 
of  appetite  could  no  longer  be  resisted,  we  found 
ourselves  with  two  dozen  splendid  trout,  which 
were  the  selection  from  nearly  a  hundred.  Well 
satisfied,  we  hastened  back  to  our  camping-ground 
which  Charley  had  been  busily  arranging,  and  while 
the  men  were  preparing  dinner,  we  tried  the  cascade 
near  by. 

This  was  certainly  a  fortunate  day,  for  Pedro 
soon  hooked  a  splendid  black  bass  and  landed  him, 
after  a  vigorous  struggle  of  half  an  hour ;  he 
weighed  three  pounds  and  three-quarters,  and  was 
thoroughly  game,  and  established  a  fact  that  Pro- 


72  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

fessor  Agassiz  seems  to  doubt — that  black  bass  in- 
habit Lake  Superior.  The  guides  recognised  him 
at  once  as  an  old  acquaintance,  and  called  him  by 
the  familiar  name  of  achigon. 

After  a  hearty  dinner  we  descended  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river  for  the  residue  of  our  camping  articles, 
and  while  returning  I  trolled  with  a  small  Buel's 
spoon.  Unfortunately  happening  to  espy  a  duck 
upon  the  water,  I  laid  down  my  rod  to  take  the 
gun,  when  a  black  bass  struck,  nearly  jerking  the 
rod  out  of  the  bo-at,  and  with  a  mad  spring  carried 
off  my  bait  and  casting  line,  while  the  duck,  alarmed 
at  the  noise,  flew  away  amid  the  confusion. 

Having  landed  our  load,  and  leaving  the  men  to 
complete  the  camp,  Don  and  myself  hastened  back 
to  the  scene  of  our  morning's  sport  to  renew,  and 
even  surpass,  our  previous  enjoyment ;  for  after  kill- 
ing several  fine  fish  in  the  strong  water  in  splendid 
style,  I  struck  one  of  great  weight  in  my  favorite 
pool.  He  soon  took  to  the  rapids,  and  stopping  in 
an  eddy,  fouled  the  line  without  escaping.  In  vain 
all  means  were  tried  to  clear  the  line  without  alarm- 
ing the  fish  ;  it  had  caught  on  the  further  side  of  a 
large  stone,  and  could  only  be  reached  from  a  rock 
that  projected  its  smooth,  slippery  surface  above  the 
current  at  some  distance  from  the  shore.  Rendered 
desperate,  and  summoning  all  my  courage,  I  crept 
out  into  the  rushing  stream,  and,  supported  by  the 
handle  to  the  landing-net,  succeeded  in  reaching 
this  dangerous  location. 

No  sooner  was  the  line  free  than  the  fish  again 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  73 

darted  down  stream,  taking  out  the  line  at  a  tremen- 
dous rate.  I  turned  to  follow,  but  what  was  my 
dismay  to  find  that,  although  I  had  managed  to  get 
from  the  shore  to  the  rock,  the  current  followed 
such  a  direction  that  I  could  not  return.  On  went 
the  fish ;  in  vain  I  sounded  the  bottom  with  the 
handle  of  the  landing-net,  or  felt  for  a  safe  footing, 
or  essayed  to  jump  ;  the  water  was  too  threatening 
and  the  risk  too  great.  Still  the  fish  kept  on,  and  I 
had  just  made  up  my  mind  to  take  the  leap  for  his 
life  or  my  own,  when  the  line  became  exhausted 
and  the  leader  parted.  Slowly  I  wound  in  the  line, 
sadly  picturing  the  supposable  weight  of  the  escaped 
fish,  and  depressed  in  spirit,  managed  with  Don's 
assistance  to  regain  terra  firma.  The  only  consola- 
tion was  in  the  thought  that  we  had  secured  full  as 
many  fish  as  we  could  use. 

That  night  was  extremely  warm,  and  one  of  the 
most  trying  I  ever  endured  in  the  northern  woods ; 
not  only  were  mosquitoes  abundant  and  ferocious, 
but  that  terrible  pest,  the  sand-fly,  existing  by  my- 
riads in  the  sandy  soil,  made  merciless  attacks  upon 
us.  The  shores  of  Lake  Superior  are  unpleasantly 
prolific  in  all  the  minute  torments  that  are  most 
dreaded  by  the  sportsman.  During  the  day  the 
black-fly  absolutely  swarms,  in  the  evening  the  sand- 
fly  arises  from  the  sand  in  invisible  millions,  and  at 
night  numberless  mosquitoes  continue  the  pursuit ; 
repelled,  but  not  dismayed  by  ointment  and  lini- 
ment, they  wait  till  it  is  dried  or  rubbed  off,  and 
dart  upon  the  exposed  part ;  they  far  exceed  in 
4 


74  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

numbers  their  brethren  of  New  Brunswick,  where 
the  rocky  soil  is  less  suited  to  them,  and,  in  spite  of 
all  defences  during  hot  weather,  inflict  much  misery. 

Don's  first  idea  was  to  despise  their  attacks,  and, 
disbelieving  the  vi/tues  of  pennyroyal  and  creasote, 
stoically  to  endure  the  discomfort  of  the  woods 
as  a  necessary  accompaniment  to  enjoying  the 
pleasure;  but  by  the  time  tea  was  over  he  had 
changed  his  mind,  and  at  bedtime  carefully  enve- 
loped himself  in  his  veil. 

The  thermometer  rose  to  eighty-six  in  the  tent, 
and  being  little  lower  at  midnight,  the  veils  were 
found  to  be  rather  suffocating.  The  moderate  tem- 
perature of  the  northern  climate  is  the  great  protec- 
tion of  the  sportsman ;  ordinarily  in  a  trip  of  a 
month  there  will  not  be  three  oppressive  days,  but 
when  the  weather  is  warm  and  insects  numerous,  a 
good  chance  is  offered  to  exhibit  courage  and  jollity. 
Next  morning,  when  the  heat  continued,  and  the  sun, 
rising  above  the  hills,  shone  through  the  dense  fog 
like  a  globe  of  fire,  Don  wore  a  solemn  but  patient 
expression  of  countenance,  and  fully  justified  my 
confidence  in  his  endurance. 

The  weather  during  the  early  season  had  been 
warm  and  dry,  and  the  lake  was  two  feet  below  its 
ordinary  level,  and  although  its  main  body  retained 
a  cool  temperature,  the  shallows  were  heated.  The 
rivers,  on  the  contrary,  that  flow  into  it  from  the 
north,  taking  their  rise  from  swamps  and  shallow 
ponds,  not  only  are  tinctured  with  decaying  vegeta- 
tion and  are  of  a  rich  amber  hue,  but  had  absorbed 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  75 

the  heat,  so  that  the  fish  which  in  our  latitude  are 
in  summer  accustomed  to  desert  the  lakes  for  the 
cool  spring  brooks,  had  mostly  left  the  rivers  for  the 
cooler  lake.  Only  where  the  water  was  cooled  and 
aerated  by  a  fall,  or  at  the  mouth  of  some  trickling 
spring,  were  they  to  be  found  in  any  numbers. 

I  have  said  that  opposite  the  camp  there  was 
such  a  rivulet,  and  at  its  mouth,  crowded  together, 
each  striving  to  get  his  nose  nearest  to  it,  was  a  fine 
school  of  large  fish.  The  water  of  this  rivulet  must 
have  been  not  for  above  the  freezing  point  in  tem- 
perature, and  was  delicious  drinking,  while  the  main 
stream  was  nearly  tepid. 

Being  informed  by  our  guides  that  there  was  a 
second  fall  above  the  first,  and  good  fishing  near  it, 
we  proceeded,  after  taking  a  few  fish  and  a  good 
drink  from  our  spring-water  rill,  to  ascend  the  river. 
We  were  compelled  to  make  our  way  through  the 
brushes  and  undergrowth,  over  the  dead  trees, 
and  among  the  rocks  that  covered  the  shore,  and  were 
hardly  repaid  for  our  labor ;  the  fall  proved  to  be  only 
a  small  cascade,  and  though  there  was  a  deep  fine 
pool  at  its  base  which  Frank  assured  us  contained 
trout  of  five  pounds,  we  could  not  persuade  any  of 
them  to  rise.  As  no  fish  above  the  main  fall  could 
have  access  to  the  lake,  I  felt  convinced  there  were 
none  of  large  size,  and  the  weather  continuing  warm, 
we  returned  early  to  the  camp. 

That  evening  was  again  devoted  to  the  black 
bass,  which  took  both  the  fly  and  spoon  greedily, 
and  which,  when  captured,  were  deposited  alive  in 


76  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

a  pond-hole  in  the  rock,  where  their  appearance  and 
motions  could  be  studied  to  advantage.  They  were 
not  handsome  fish,  with  their  broad  backs,  deep 
bodies,  and  thick  heads ;  their  extended  fins  were 
peculiar  and  characteristic,  and  their  general  form, 
fierce  red  eyes,  and  large  mouths  were  more  indica- 
tive of  ferocity  than  grace.  Those  that  we  opened, 
although  it  was  in  the  month  of  July,  were  heavy 
with  spawn,  and  the  ova  had  the  appearance  of 
being  almost  ready  for  deposit, — suggesting  the  pos- 
sibility that  these  fish  differ  from  those  of  the  eastern 
country  in  their  spawning  season.  It  is  hardly  con- 
ceivable that  they  would  carry  their  eggs  till  April 
or  May  of  the  ensuing  year,  in  which  month  black 
bass  spawn  elsewhere ;  and  if  not,  their  habits  must 
be  entirely  dissimilar. 

The  long  walk  through  the  sand  and  mud  had 
made  our  shoes  rather  unpresentable,  restoring  along 
the  edges  the  original  russet  of  the  leather ;  and  as 
he  was  about  retiring,  Don  suggested  to  me  the  pro- 
priety in  our  next  trip  of  bringing  with  us  blacking 
and  brushes. 


FIKE-PKBOB. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  77 


CHAPTER  IV 

NEXT  morning,  the  weather  being  cooler  and  the 
wind  favorable,  we  took  our  departure,  after  having 
captured  some  fine  fish  at  the  falls  pool,  for  the 
Batchawaung  River.  It  was  but  a  short  journey 
round  a  sandspit  that  projected  into  the  bay,  where 
we  took  a  single  trout,  and  we  were  soon  in  the 
mouth  of  the  deep  dark  river.  The  banks  were  low 
and  of  course  covered  with  trees,  most  of  which 
were  of  the  deciduous  character;  the  water  was 
sluggish,  and  the  interval  between  the  bay  and  dis- 
tant mountain  extended  several  miles. 

We  passed  an  Indian  paddling  a  canoe  loaded 
with  bark,  the  sole  occupant  besides  ourselves  of  the 
quiet  stream,  and  our  guides  conversed  fluently  with 
him  in  the  musical  Indian  tongue.  Occasionally  a 
brood  of  ducks,  alarmed  at  our  approach,  broke  the 
oppressive  silence  with  their  vigorous  efforts  to 
escape,  and  Don,  trolling  with  Bud's  spoon  for  black 
bass,  struck  and  landed  a  small  ill-favored  pickerel 
• — esox  boreus — of  some  four  pounds  weight. 

The  Batchawaung  is  the  favorite  resort  for  anglers 
,vho  visit  the  north  shore,  and  being  within  easy 
access  of  the  Sault — not  more  than  a  day's  sail  with 
favorable  weather — is  fished  to  excess.  It  is  a  large 
stream,  filled  with  rapids  and  pools,  and  usually 


78  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

crowded  with  trout  of  immense  size ;  but  the  water 
is  dark  and  easily  heated,  so  that  the  fish  often  desert 
it  for  the  lake.  There  is  a  sameness  about  the 
Batchawaung,  and  a  want  of  picturesque  effect,  that 
is  altogether  different  from  the  Harmony ;  we  missed 
the  noise  of  the  falling  water,  the  sight  of  the  pretty 
cascade,  when  we  came  to  pitch  our  tent  about  four 
miles  from  the  mouth,  at  the  first  shallow  rapids, 
and  throughout  our  whole  trip  we  never  saw  the 
equal  of  the  romantic  Harmony. 

There  are  but  two  rivers  emptying  into  Batcha- 
waung Bay  that  are  generally  laid  down  on  the 
maps — the  Batchawaung  and  the  Cliippewa— "but 
the  guides  assured  us  there  were  four  fine  streams. 
The  location  usually  given  to  the  Chippewa  applies 
well  to  the  Harmony,  and  it  may  be  they  are  the 
same  river  under  different  names.  Our  ordinary 
maps  of  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Superior  are 
altogether  imperfect,  and  even  the  charts  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  are  not  entirely  accurate. 

Anxious  to  explore  the  stream,  no  sooner  was  our 
camp  pitched  and  dinner  over  than  we  embarked 
and  continued  the  ascent,  being  poled  against  the 
current  by  the  two  guides,  and  trying  every  promis- 
ing spot  as  we  passed.  Fish,  however,  were  no- 
where to  be  found,  and  disgusted  with  the  heat 
that  not  only  annoyed  ourselves  but  had  destroyed 
our  sport,  we  were  about  giving  up,  when  Frank 
stopped  the  boat  over  against  the  mouth  of  a  little 
murmuring  tributary  brook.  There  were  a  quantity 
of  small  stones  and  large  rocks  where  the  rivulet 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  79 

joined  the  river,  and  the  cast  being  a  long  one,  I 
extended  my  line  and  dropped  the  fly  just  where 
the  two  currents  met.  It  was  taken  instantly  by  a 
fish  that,  after  fifteen  minutes'  vigorous  play,  was 
landed  and  found  to  weigh  two  and  a  half  pounds. 

That  inaugurated  our  sport,  and  was  followed  by 
the  capture  of  at  least  two  dozen  magnificent  trout, 
that  were  not  only  immense  in  size,  averaging  nearly 
three  pounds,  but  were  extremely  beautiful  and  un- 
commonly vigorous.  Their  tints  were  rich  and  dark, 
differing  as  greatly  from  the  lake  fish  as  the  trout 
of  the  Canadian  rivers  differ  from  those  of  the  salt 
water.  They  fought  with  great  courage  and  per- 
severance, requiring  skill  and  patience  to  land;  and 
anxious  as  we  were  to  take  a  large  one,  that  is  to 
say,  one  of  over  four  pounds,  those  of  two  and 
three  pounds  were  so  numerous  and  voracious  that 
we  could  not  effect  our  object. 

We  landed  some  by  hand  and  threw  many  back 
into  the  water,  but,  notwithstanding,  soon  had 
more  than  we  could  possibly  use.  There  being  no 
reason  for  our  taking  any  more,  and  Don  having  com- 
plained that  the  cast  was  inconveniently  long  on 
account  of  the  imperfections  of  his  rod,  I  assured 
him  I  could  cast  entirely  across  the  pool,  and  to 
prove  it,  lengthened  my  lino,  and  at  the  first  cast 
hooked  fast  in  the  rock  beyond.  Not  caring  to 
break  the  line,  we  dropped  the  boat  across  the 
stream,  and  while  passing  over  the  pool,  beheld  the 
bottom  literally  black  with  fish.  If  we  had  been 
inclined  to  wanton  destruction,  we  could  doubtless 


80  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

have  killed  a  hundred ;  but  having  no  means  to  pot 
or  souse  them,  and  knowing  that  they  are  com- 
paratively worthless  salted  or  smoked,  we  had  re- 
solved not  to  kill  more  than  we  could  eat. 

On  the  way  back  to  camp  we  took  a  long,  lean, 
poor,  sickly  fish,  that,  if  in  good  order,  would  have 
reached  six  pounds,  but  in  its  unhealthy  state  only 
weighed  two  and  a  half. 

At  supper  that  evening  Don  made  a  formal  pro- 
test and  complaint,  insisting  that  he  would  drink  no 
more  tea  till  he  had  white  sugar;  he  entered  at 
some  length  into  the  characteristics  and  peculiarities 
of  sugar  in  its  various  stages,  questioned  the  advan- 
tage of  using  brown  sugar  at  all,  intimated  that  white 
was  the  best,  most  economical,  and  least  bulky, 
advised  me  in  future  to  take  none  other,  and  finally 
having  disposed  of  every  conceivable  case  but  his 
own,  inquired  why,  when  we  had  abundance  of 
both,  he  was  not  allowed  the  one  he  preferred,  by 
which  time  I  had  it  out  and  ready  at  his  hand.  He  had 
evidently  braced  himself  for  a  terrible  argument, 
seemed  somewhat  surprised  at  the  want  of  opposition, 
and  after  a  moment  or  two  began  to  call  in  question 
the  propriety  of  opening  a  new  package,  when  the 
brown  sugar  was  already  in  use ;  that,  in  fact,  al- 
though some  people  preferred  white,  and  he  must 
confess  he  was  among  the  number,  others  liked  the 
flavor  of  the  dark  colored;  that  little  inconveniences 
were  the  natural  concomitants  of  a  sportsman's  life ; 
that  when  a  number  of  bundles  were  opened  they 
were  more  exposed  to  dampness — a  serious  injury  to 


LAKE   SUPJETRIOK.  81 

sugar — and  there  were  more  packages  to  look  after, 
and  that  he  was  decidedly  of  opinion  it  was  unadvlsa- 
ble,  and  that  he  was  entirely  willing  to  go  without 
his  tea.  By  this  time  the  tea  was  drunk  and  supper 
ended. 

It  is  a  delightful  thing  of  ;i  cool  summer  evening 
to  sit  round  a  rousing  fire  that  casts  its  variable 
glare  upon  the  trunks  and  lower  branches  of  the 
stalwart  trees,  and  gives  a  ruddy  glow  to  the  white 
tent,  the  dense  underbrush,  and  the  kindly  faces 
of  the  honest  guides.  At  such  times,  while  listening 
to  wild  stories  of  woodsman's  life,  that  are  doubly 
interesting  when  repeated  upon  the  ground  where 
they  occurred,  a  pipe  is  absolutely  delicious.  Every 
member  of  the  temporary  household  selects  a  rock 
or  log,  fashions  a  seat  to  his  satisfaction  as  best  he 
may,  and  recalls  the  events  of  other  similar  expe- 
ditions for  the  edification  of  his  associates.  On 
such  occasions  cigars,  which  are  cumbersome  at  all 
times,  do  not  seem  to  answer,  and  recourse  is  had  to 
the  little  pouch  of  Killikinnick  which  every  one 
carries  with  him ;  under  the  joint  influence  of  story 
and  tobacco,  the  time  passes  quickly  away,  and  the 
hour  of  bedtime  arrives  too  soon. 

Notwithstanding  the  summer  evenings  are  usually 
cool  above  the  line  of  the  British  Provinces,  we 
happened  to  have  fallen  upon  a  hot  spell ;  and 
although  the  fire  was  not  disagreeable,  the  mosqui- 
toes, which  are  benumbed  by  cold,  were  lively  and 
plentiful.  Under  these  circumstances  our  mode  of 
proceeding  was  to  close  the  tent  and  then  with  a 


82  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

candle  carefully  burn  them  one  after  another.  To 
do  this  successfully  requires  nerve  and  skill ;  the  light 
must  be  approached  quickly  enough  to  catch  the 
nimble  fellows,  and  just  far  enough  not  to  scorch  the 
tent;  the  operation  gave  Don  decided  pleasure, 
especially  as  they  are  consumed  with  a  loud  "  pop." 
In  course  of  the  proceeding  he  incidentally  re- 
marked :  "  Their  galleys  burn ;  why  not  their  cities, 
too  ?" 

Next  day  we  ascended  the  river  to  the  falls,  which 
were  about  three  miles  from  camp,  and  were  found 
to  be  attractive  neither  to  the  fisherman  nor  the 
lover  of  nature.  The  water  was  warm  and  fishless, 
the  shute  was  small  and  unromantic.  We  dined  at 
its  foot,  and  descending,  fished  the  pool  that  the 
day  before  had  rewarded  us  so  satisfactorily.  Our 
prey  was  still  there,  eager  as  ever  for  hook  and  fea- 
thers, and  soon  covered  the  bottom  of  our  boat 
with  their  glistening  forms.  My  line  after  some 
time  happening  to  become  fouled  in  the  bottom,  and 
skilful  fishing  appearing  to  be  out  of  place,  I  laid 
down  the  fly-rod,  and  taking  the  bass-rod,  cast  the 
trolling-spoon  with  some  effort  and  a  loud  splash 
into  the  pool ;  instead  of  alarming  the  fish,  it  was 
eagerly  seized,  and  I  kept  on  catching  fish  with  it  at 
every  cast,  till  Don  became  disgusted  with  such 
unsportsmanlike  procedure,  and  insisted  upon  re- 
turning to  camp. 

That  day  was  made  remarkable  by  the  advent  of 
a  thunder-storm,  a  rarity  in  the  northern  clime, 
and  the  only  one  that  occurred  during  our  entire 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  83 

trip.  It  was  not  violent,  and  had  none  of  those 
terrible  characteristics  of  similar  phenomena  in 
southern  latitudes,  and  even  in  our  regions  would 
have  been  considered  a  tame  affair. 

As,  however,  it  drove  us  within  the  tent,  and  gave 
us  a  little  unemployed  leisure,  my  attention  was 
attracted  to  Don's  baggage,  which  consisted  of  an 
incongruous  assortment  that  would  hardly  have  been 
thought  of  by  any  other  amateur  backwoodsman, 
and  would  certainly  have  astounded  a  professional. 
Of  course  there  were  abundant  clothes  of  various 
colors  and  kinds,  of  which  a  buckskin  under-jacket 
suitable  for  severe  winter  weather,  but  hardly 
necessary  in  a  summer-trip,  and  a  handsome  dressing- 
gown,  were  prominent  articles;  also  his  shaving 
materials,  very  neat  and  elegant,  that  were  not  used 
till  he  returned ;  a  thermometer  that  kept  us  in- 
formed as  to  the  amount  of  suffering  we  were 
entitled  to  feel  from  the  condition  of  the  weather ; 
a  picture  of  his  two  extremely  pretty  children,  set  in 
a  passe-partout  frame,  with  a  glass  over  it  that  was 
in  daily  danger  of  destruction,  a  bundle  of  tooth 
picks  that  would  have  lasted  us  both  a  year,  a  new 
and  effective  patent  portable  boot-jack,  a  clothes- 
brush  and  whisp,  a  bottle  of  eau  de  cologne,  a  pair 
of  flesh-brushes,  and  many  other  things  that  might 
be  classed  as  "odds  and  ends." 

Most  of  these  articles  were  jumbled  together  in  a 
large  water-proof  bag,  from  which  he  was  never 
known  to  be  able  to  obtain  any  specific  article  with- 
out emptying  the  whole  on  the  floor;  but  the  pic- 


84  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

ture,  his  looking-glass,  comb,  hair-brush,  and  soap 
he  kept  among  the  eggs.  The  eggs  suffered  con- 
siderably  from  the  association,  and  their  injury  was 
felt  by  myself  as  head  cook;  but  Don  could  never 
be  persuaded  to  change  his  habits,  producing  abun- 
dant arguments  to  prove  that  that  was  their  only 
appropriate  place. 

At  supper  he  announced  his  firm  conviction  that 
china  cups  and  plates  were  a  necessity  to  existence, 
that  tin  was  an  abomination,  and  that  on  all  future 
trips  he  should  be  properly  supplied.  He  was  in- 
dignant at  a  suggestion  that  they  might  be  broken, 
and  burst  forth  : 

"  You  are  so  set  in  your  ways  that  you  think  no 
one  can  have  any  ideas  but  yourself,  or  make  any 
improvement  on  your  plans.  Here  you  are,  drinking 
high-priced  tea,  and  even  brandy-and-water,  out  of 
tin  cups  that  hold  a  quart," — this  was  an  exaggera- 
tion, as  they  were  only  pints  —  "have  a  disgust- 
ing taste  that  absolutely  destroys  the  flavor,  and  are 
of  such  a  shape  that  you  have  to  dip  your  nose  into 
the  fluid  before  you  can  swallow  any  of  it.  With 
hot  tea  this  is  painful,  and  with  brandy,  or  even 
water,  far  from  pleasant." 

"  Glass  or  china  would  be  more  agreeable  on 
some  accounts "  was  the  mild  reply. 

"I  should  think  so,"  he  interrupted.  "  Allow  me 
to  ask  what  you  paid  for  this  tea  ?" 

"  One  dollar  and  fifteen  cents  a  pound." 

"  And  what  does  it  taste  like  ?» 

"Tea." 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  85 

"  Tea  !  Well,  there  are  some  people  that  can 
hardly  tell  wash-basin  slops  from  the  best  Bohea." 

"  But,  then,"  I  hurriedly  explained,  to  moderate 
his  disgust,  "china  is  so  liable  to  be  broken ;  I  had 
once  an  entire  case  of  liquor  smashed  by  my  guides." 

"  Yes,  and  that  liquor-case  is  a  case  in  point ; 
because  that  was  lost  you  do  not  give  up  carrying 
liquor,  do  you  ?  Then  why  cease  using  china  cups, 
not  that  they  have  been,  but  only  from  fear  that 
they  may  be  broken  ?" 

"  They  are  so  much  heavier  than  tin,"  I  remon- 
strated. 

"  As  if  the  weight  of  two  cups,  one  for  you  and 
one  for  me,  and  two  plates,  was  so  serious.  Let's 
dispense  with  something  else  ;  take  less  to  eat,  if 
you  please,  but  have  it  decently  served." 

Convinced  by  this  eloquence,  I  meekly  promised 
to  comply  on  our  next  expedition,  but  Don  was  not 
altogether  satisfied,  and  continued  : 

"I  do  not  wish  you  to  consent  to  these  views 
merely  to  suit  my  wishes.  I  want  you  to  be  con- 
vinced. I  dare  say  there  are  advantages  about  tin ; 
it  may  be  knocked  about,  is  always  ready  at  hand, 
is  light,  and  stores  in  small  compass  ;  for  rough  tra- 
vel, doubtless,  it  is  admirable,  and,  were  we  to  make 
long  portages,  would  be  better  than  china.  After 
all,  the  taste  of  tin  must  be  more  apparent  than  real ; 
the  metal  cannot  come  off,  or  it  would  dissolve ; 
and  how,  then,  can  it  give  a  taste  ?  The  pots  are 
large,  but  a  man  wants  a  good,  long  drink,  whether 
of  tea  or  brandy,  when  exhausted  with  hard  work 


86  LAKE  SUPEKIOR. 

or  exposure.  After  all,  you  will  find  many  advan- 
tages in  tin  caps,  and,  really,  the  plates  are  scarcely 
objectionable ;  before  deciding,  you  must  look  at  these 
matters  from  both  points  of  view.  However,  as  we 
cannot  obtain  china  this  trip,  and  as  we  are  discuss- 
ing improvements,  there  is  one  thing  I  insist  upon 
hereafter — we  must  have  table-cloths  and  napkins." 

"  What !"  I  exclaimed,  absolutely  overcome  at 
this  suggestion. 

"Table-cloths  and  napkins.  You  have  probably 
heard  of  such  things  before  ;  they  are  customary  at 
a  gentleman's  table,  and  if  a  person  does  sleep  in  a 
tent,  he  need  not  forget  he  is  a  gentleman.  Look  at 
this  table,  made  out  of  two  rough  boards  that  were 
never  even  planed,  transported  in  the  bottom  of  our 
boat,  and  walked  over  daily  with  dirty  shoes  and 
occasionally  with  bare  feet,  sullied  with  the  marks 
of  promiscuous  bundles,  half  covered  with  grease, 
and  stained  with  tea,  bilge-water,  and  fish-blood 
gracefully  intermingled." 

"  That  is  too  bad ;  they  are  two  good,  clean 
boards  that  Frank  washes  regularly,  and  which  are 
in  themselves  an  unusual  luxury ;  for  in  woocl's-life 
we  usually  dine  off  a  log  or  a  flat  rock." 

"  They  may  be  washed  occasionally ;  but  as  dead 
fish  are  first  gutted  on  them,  and  as  tea  and  grease 
are  afterwards  spilled  on  them  till  they  are  revolt- 
ing with  filth,  I  do  not  see,  for  my  part,  how  you 
can  eat  your  dinner  off  them." 

"  I  don't  eat  off  them  ;  I  eat  off  my  plate." 

"  That  you  may  call  a  joke  ;  but  hereafter  I  shall 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  87 

have  table-cloths  and  napkins.  You  carry  towels, 
why  not  napkins  ?" 

"  Because  you  cannot  stow  a  large  number,  and 
if  you  have  only  a  few,  how  are  they  to  be  kept 
clean?  The  guides  have  enough  to  do  without 
trying  to  wash  table-cloths  with  cold  water  and  no 
starch." 

"  If  that  is  so,  I  should  take  an  extra  man  to  wash 
them." 

The  next  day  we  met  with  a  loss.  We  had  no- 
ticed that  the  Indians,  when  they  travelled,  were 
invariably  accompanied  by  their  dogs ;  these  were 
rarely  accommodated  on  board  the  canoes,  and  fol- 
lowed along  the  shore,  swimming  the  inlets  or  cross- 
ing at  the  head,  making  often  much  longer  journeys 
than  their  masters,  who  passed  from  headland  to 
headland,  but  coming  up  with  the  camp  at  night  to 
partake  of  the  frugal  meal.  Sometimes,  however, 
they  strayed,  and  either  lived  on  chance  gleanings 
from  travellers  or  perished  in  the  woods.  There 
were  two  ownerless  dogs  near  our  camp,  and  al- 
though precautions  had  been  taken  by  our  men, 
they  succeeded  hi  carrying  off  our  only  ham,  leaving 
us  nothing  to  show  for  it  but  the  empty  bag. 

Don's  appetite  had  been  sharpened  by  open  air 
and  exercise,  and  he  expatiated  at  length  upon  dis- 
appointed hopes  of  fried  ham,  broiled  ham,  ham 
omelets,  ham  plain,  and  ham  and  eggs,  and  sug- 
gested many  new  and  doubtless  excellent  dishes,  of 
which,  ham  was  to  be  the  principal  part.  His  advice 
was  valuable,  but  somewhat  late. 


88  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

Being  already  tired  of  the  to  me  uninteresting 
Batchawaung  and  its  one  pool  of  numberless  trout, 
and  having  a  strong  and  favorable  breeze,  we  broke 
up  camp,  descended  the  river,  killing  a  duck  on  the 
way,  and  once  out  in  the  open  water,  headed  for 
the  Point  of  Mamainse,  which  is  Chippewa  for  stur- 
geon. The  wind,  however,  soon  came  out  ahead, 
increased  to  a  gale,  and  drove  us  into  Uanse  aux 
crepes,  or  Pancake  Bay,  where  we  were  detained 
that  day  and  night. 

Eanse  aux  crepes  is  at  the  mouth  of  a  little  rivu- 
let that  tumbles  over  scattered  bouldere,  and  occa- 
sionally contains  some  nice  trout ;  but  the  water 
was  low,  and  although  we  caught  enough  small  fish 
for  supper,  we  did  better  with  young  ducks,  hap- 
pening to  get  a  shot  into  a  brood,  and  killing  with 
the  two  discharges  seven  plump,  luscious,  well- 
grown  little  fellows,  which  replenished  the  gridiron 
finely. 

The  temperature  fell  to  thirty-seven  degrees,  and 
with  it  the  mosquitoes — a  delightful  change  from 
the  oppressive  heat  and  hungry  hordes  that  had  tor- 
mented us.  We  camped  for  the  night  at  the  mouth 
of  the  rivulet,  and  continuing  our  voyage  early  next 
morning,  soon  reached  the  bold,  imposing  promon- 
tory called  by  the  Indian  name  Mamainse.  The 
shore  is  rocky  and  precipitous  to  such  an  extent, 
that  the  fisherman  finds  difficulty  in  casting  the  fly, 
or  even  pursuing  his  way  along  the  steep  cliffs. 

The  water  is  filled  with  broken  rocks,  as  at  other 
parts  of  the  coast,  and  where  these  project  above 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  89 

the  surface  a  good  stand  is  obtained.  At  one  spot 
the  waves  had  worn  out  a  deep  cavern,  where  a 
dozen  men  could  sleep,  protected  from  the  air,  and 
often  under  foot  could  be  heard  the  smothered  rum- 
bling of  the  water  as  it  rushed  into  deep  holes  out 
of  sight.  Above  the  bare  rocks,  which  are  often 
fifty  feet  perpendicular,  stretch  the  sparse  under- 
brush, the  stunted  evergreens,  and  the  moss-covered 
granite  of  the  mountains,  till  they  reach  an  elevation 
of  a  thousand  feet.  Frowning  down  upon  the 
water  stands  the  Point  of  Mamainse,  a  rallying-spot 
for  the  summer  fogs  and  winter  storms,  a  landmark 
to  the  voyageur,  a  barrier  to  the  fiercest  commotion 
of  the  lake,  and  the  upper  boundary  of  Tequamenon 
Bay,  as  the  confined  portion  of  Lake  Superior  near 
its  outlet  is  called. 

.  It  is  an  extensive  promontory,  and  point  after 
point  presented  itself  to  our  wearied  eyes ;  we 
landed,  rose,  and  lost  some  fine  fish,  and  killed  seve- 
ral of  good  size  ;  but  as  the  wind  was  adverse,  we 
could  not  afford  to  waste  time,  and  pursued  our 
journey  till  nightfall. 

Next  morning  we  tasted  a  Batch awaung  trout 
that  Frank  had  salted  and  smoked  by  hanging  near 
the  fire  ;  inasmuch  as  it  was  green  and  had  not  lost 
its  original  flavor  altogether,  it  was  quite  appetiz- 
ing ;  but  a  smoked  trout  that  has  been  dried  suffi- 
ciently to  keep,  is  about  as  hard,  unpalatable,  and 
indigestible  a  morsel  as  man  can  put  in  his  mouth. 
It  has  neither  the  flavor  of  the  mackerel  nor  the 
richness  of  the  cod,  and  not  the  slightest  pretence 


90  LAKE   SUPERIOR 

to  the  delicacy  of  the  salmon.  Slightly  salted  and 
smoked,  however,  it  will  remain  good  for  several 
weeks,  and  furnish  a  variety  to  the  woodsman's 
Spartan  fare. 

Unfortunately  there  is  no  way  of  preserving 
trout ;  these  fish,  so  delicate  fresh,  are  almost  worth- 
less pickled,  soused,  salted,  or  smoked ;  while  those 
of  a  size  to  be  worth  catching  are  too  large  to  pre- 
serve by  potting,  in  which  way  alone  can  their  flavor 
be  preserved.  They  are  pickled  by  being  immersed 
in  water  that  has  had  sugar  and  salt  boiled  in  it ; 
they  are  soused  by  being  cooked  and  preserved  in 
vinegar  and  allspice  ;  they  are  smoked  by  being 
salted  for  a  night  and  hung  in  a  smoke-house  or 
near  the  fire ;  they  are  kippered  by  being  rubbed 
with  salt  and  a  little  pepper,  and  hung  in  the  sun  ; 
they  are  potted  by  being  cooked  and  packed  tightly 
in  jars,  and  having  hot  lard  or  butter  with  spices 
run  in  and  over  them.  Only  when  prepared  in  the 
latter  way  are  they  eatable,  and  then  only  when 
they  are  small. 

This  day  we  had  our  first  really  favorable  wind 
that  bellied  out  our  sail,  and  relieving  the  men  from 
the  labor  at  the  oars,  drove  us  along  at  a  famous 
rate,  enabling  us  to  push  boldly  out  into  the  lake 
that  was  alive  with  the  dancing,  foam-crested  waves, 
and  urging  us  onward  famously  in  a  direct  course. 

When  far  from  shore  and  miles  from  the  habita- 
tions of  a  civilized  being,  we  espied  approaching 
another  barge  similar  to  our  own,  and  which  proved 
also  to  be  carrying  a  party  of  fishermen. 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  91 

Our  sail  was  hastily  lowered,  and  the  vessels  being 
laid  alongside  of  one  another,  we  held  an  interest- 
ing conversation  with  onr  fellow-travellers.  It  ap- 
peared they  had  ascended  the  N"eepigon,  and  gave 
glowing  accounts  of  the  number  of  fish,  but  not 
much  of  the  character  of  the  fishing ;  saying  that 
the  trout,  which  were  large  on  the  average,  were 
collected  in  pools  as  we  had  found  them  in  the 
Batchawaung,  and  were  so  numerous  as  to  ruin 
the  sport.  They  had  had  a  long  journey,  and  were 
out  of  whiskey,  a  deprivation  that  we  hastened  to 
supply ;  and  were  glad  to  see  civilized  beings,  and  to 
feel  that  they  were  once  more  on  the  confines  of  the 
land  of  the  white  man. 

With  mutual  good  wishes  we  bid  them  farewell, 
and  watched  their  barge  after  we  separated  growing 
smaller  and  smaller  in  the  distance,  till  it  was  lost 
to  view.  How  suggestive  are  such  meetings  of 
individuals  who  have  never  encountered  one  another 
before,  who  form,  an  acquaintance  as  it  were  in  the 
wilderness,  shut  out  from  the  rest  of  mankind,  and, 
separated,  never  to  meet  in  the  wide  world  again  ; 
like  a  ray  of  sunshine  through  a  storm-cloud,  shining 
for  an  instant  across  the  surrounding  darkness,  gone 
in  a  moment,  and  never  to  be  re-illumined,  leaving 
nothing  behind  but  a  pleasant  memory!  Not  one 
of  the  persons  in  either  boat  will  ever  forget  that 
meeting,  and  nevertheless  no  conceivable  circum- 
stances can  bring  them  together  again  on  the  bound- 
less waters  of  Lake  Superior. 

We  reached  the  Agawa  that  night.     The  stream 


92  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

was  sluggish  at  its  outlet,  near  which  a  change  in 
its  course  had  left  a  small  pond  in  the  sandy  shore, 
and  was  not  altogether  inviting,  with  its  shallow,  dis- 
colored, heated  current.  It  has  a  high  reputation 
among  those  who  have  explored  it,  but  flows  into 
the  lake  in  a  commonplace  manner.  A  neighbor- 
ing swamp  encouraged  the  growth  of  mosquitoes ; 
and  the  black  flies,  which  seemed  to  be  of  an  un- 
recognized and  indescribably  vicious  species,  were 
annoying  in  the  extreme.  There  was  a  small  settle- 
ment of  Indians  near  by,  and  hardly  had  we  com- 
menced pitching  our  camp,  which  had  to  be  located 
some  distance  from  shore  on  account  of  the  pebbly 
beach,  ere  they  appeared. 

There  was  an  old  man,  the  embodiment  of  harm- 
less idiotcy,  who  turned  out  to  be  a  patriarch  and 
not  the  fool  he  looked ;  two  fine-looking,  straight- 
featured  young  men  ;  two  boys,  a  little  girl,  and 
three  dogs.  The  latter  evidently  belonged  to  the 
family,  for  they  all,  dogs  included,  stood  in  a  row, 
the  latter  fully  as  intelligent  as  the  former,  and 
none  of  them  offering  the  least  assistance  while  our 
men  and  ourselves  raised  the  tent.  The  old  man 
wore  a  conciliatory  expression  of  imbecility,  the 
young  men  a  confirmed  air  of  vacuity,  and  the  dogs 
and  children  seemed  imbued  with  a  few  sparks  of 
intellect. 

They  made  no  motion  and  uttered  no  word  till  a 
fire  was  lighted,  when  they  instantly  crouched  round 
it.  As  a  race,  living  in  the  rudest  manner,  and  de- 
based from  their  native  simplicity  by  contact  with 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  93 

the  white  man,  they  have  small  claims  to  intelli- 
gence ;  but  to  their  credit,  be  it  said,  they  are  ordi- 
narily honest,  and  unless  grossly  outraged,  perfectly 
harmless. 

They  are  readily  moved  to  laughter,  greatly 
enjoyed  the  appearance  of  our  hats,  which  were 
stuck  round  with  flies,  and  shouted  with  delight 
atthe  noise  made  by  Don's  click  reel,  when  he 
took  a  trout  in  the  small  pond  previously  men- 
tioned, and  throughout  our  intercourse  with  them, 
proved  themselves  pleasant,  trustworthy  compa- 
nions. 

While  our  guides  were  preparing  supper,  Don 
proceeded  to  explore  the  neighborhood,  and  made 
his  way  to  the  wigwams,  where  he  found  more  of 
the  same  family.  Immediately  on  our  appearance, 
the  women,  after  peering  furtively  through  the 
chinks,  retired  into  obscurity,  ignorant,  probably,  of 
our  high  delicacy  towards  the  female  sex ;  and  in 
fact  throughout,  betrayed  a  disgusting  want  of  con- 
fidence ;  tho  three  favorite  wives  of  the  silly  old 
patriarch,  wives  that  we  were  told  were  both  young 
and  pretty,  having  fled  into  the  bush  before  our 
canoe  had  touched  land.  During  our  entire  stay 
we  had  nothing  but  dissolving  views  of  female 
charms — loveliness  that  was  not  arrayed  in  crino- 
line— although  Don  devoted  every  spare  moment  to 
persistent  visits. 

A  young  man  appeared  promptly  from  under  the 
blanketed  door  of  the  first  wigwam,  and  Don  com- 
menced an  instructive  conversation  on  the  subject 


94  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

of  numerous  dogs  that  were  howling  round  in  un- 
pleasant proximity  to  our  calves. 

"  You  have  a  large  number  of  dogs  ?" 

"Ya." 

"I  suppose  you  use  them  in  the  chase?" 

"Ya." 

"They  accompany  you  in  your  journeys  ?" 

"Ya." 

"  What  do  you  chase  with  them  ?" 

"  Ya." 

"I  asked  what  do  you  chase  with  them?" 

"Ya," 

"  Oh,  I  see  you  speak  French." 

"Ya," 

"  QiCest  ce  qiie  Von  chasse  avec  les  chiens  ?" 

"Ya." 

Don  now  began  to  doubt  whether  his  new  friend 
spoke  either  French  or  English,  and  had  recourse  to 
Chippewa,  at  least  as  near  Chippewa  as  he  could  come. 

"  Vat  you  chase,  chassy,  vis  the  doggees  ?" 

"Ya." 

"  You  chase  les  cerfs  the  deer,  the  elks,  the  moose  ?" 
gesticulating  freely. 

"Ya." 

"The  beaver,  the— the— castor?" 

"Ya." 

"  The  rabbit,  the— the— ze  rabeet  ?" 

"Ya." 

"Don,"  I  burst  forth  at  this  stage,  "he  does 
not  understand  a  word  you  are  saying." 

"  On  the  contrary,  he  evidently  understands  per- 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  95 

fectly,  how  else  could  he  answer  so  intelligently  ;  of 
course  he  does  not  pronounce  yes  accurately,  but  is 
entirely  comprehensible." 

"  Well,  then,  ask  him  about  the  canoe  he  is  build- 
ing ;  how  many  it  will  hold,  what  those  strings  are 
for,  and  where  he  caught  that  large  trout  yonder  ?" 

"  You  build  ze  canoe  ?" 

"  Ya." 

"How  many  it  hold?" 

"Ya." 

"It  hold  one?" 

"  Ya." 

"  It  hold  two  ?" 

"Ya." 

"  You  see  he  says  it  holds  one  or  two." 

"  Well,  now  about  the  strings." 

"Zese  strings,  what  for?" 

"Ya." 

"  No  no ;  what  for  yese  strings  ?» 

"Ya." 

"  What  zay  use  for  ?"  raising  his  voice. 

"Ya." 

"  You  no  understand ;  what  for,  what  for  ?w 

"  Ya." 

"  Leave  the  strings  and  try  the  fish  ?" 

"  You  see  ze  trout,  truite  ?" 

"Ya." 

"  Where  you  catch  him  ?" 

"  Ya." 

" Up  ze  river?" 

"Ya." 


90  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

"Or  near  by?" 

"  Ya." 

"  Ko,  no  ;  where  catch  him  ?" 

"Ya." 

"  Here  or  zere ;  here  or  zere  ?"  very  loud,  as 
though  the  savage  were  deaf. 

"Ya." 

"  That  will  do  ;  and  after  this  instructive  conversa- 
tion we  had  better  seek  our  camp  and  supper." 

"Just  as  you  say;  he  evidently  does  not  fully 
understand  the  last  question,  although  I  think  we 
might  obtain  some  valuable  information  from  him. 
We  certainly  want  to  know  where  he  took  that  fish, 
w^hich  must  weigh  four  pounds." 

"We  certainly  shall  not  find  out,  as  baby  talk 
evidently  is  not  Chippewa,  although  I  wish  it  was, 
and  will  need  Frank's  aid  in  our  communications." 

The  other  Indians  were  still  seated  near  our  fire, 
and  received  with  apparent  thankfulness  the  rem- 
nants of  our  supper,  of  which  we  took  care  that  the 
little  girl  should  have  her  share,  after  we  had 
finished.  As  the  river  was  low  and  could  not  be 
ascended  with  our  barge,  nor  without  much  labor  on 
foot,  it  was  necessary  to  hire  canoes ;  but  unfortu- 
nately we  had  nothing  but  United  States  money, 
which  was  about  as  worthless  as  white  paper. 
Frank  took  ground  that  we  should  pay  them  in 
stores  of  pork  and  biscuit ;  but  as  he  seemed  utterly 
regardless  of  our  anxiety  to  make  a  positive  bargain, 
and  but  little  mindful  whether  they  were  paid  or 
not,  Don  felt  it  necessary  to  approach  the  subject 


,LAKE  SUPERIOR,  97 

cautiously,  and  having  read  of  the  pipe  of  peace, 
thought  the  opportunity  a  good  one  for  its  introduc- 
tion. Taking  out  his  pouch,  he  gave  them  enough 
tobacco  to  till  their  pipes  all  round,  having  learnt 
from  Frank  that  it  was  not  necessary  to  pass  his 
own  from  mouth  to  mouth,  which  he  had  considered 
imperative,  but  which  was  not  altogether  plea- 
sant. He  was  solicitous  about  their  having  their 
pipes  well  lighted,  and  being  pleased  with  the 
tobacco,  and  when  reassured  on  that  head,  and 
satisfied  that  genial  smoke  was  producing  its  natu- 
ral effect,  he  permitted  Frank  to  give  a  few  gentle 
hints  suggestive  of  our  desires  to  ascend  the  river, 
our  possession  of  quantities  of  pork  that  we  did  not 
wish  to  take  back  with  us,  and  our  anxiety  to  be 
satisfied  that  canoes  could  be  had. 

The  subject  being  skilfully  launched,  Don  ex- 
pressed great  interest  in  the  little  girl,  whose  name 
he  found  was  Wajack,  which  being  interpreted, 
means  Little  Rat,  and  finally  made  his  great  point 
by  the  production  of  his  picture.  This  had  hung 
in  our  tent  night  after  night,  had  been  carried  in 
our  basket  day  by  day,  and  had  smashed  its  score 
of  eggs  ;  but  now  it  repaid  us.  The  hearts  of  the 
savages  were  won,  their  delight  was  rapturous, 
expressions  of  admiration  were  universal,  the  highest 
encomiums  were  passed  upon  it,  and  the  little  chil- 
dren, whose  likenesses  were  really  extremely  pretty, 
were  as  the  perfection  of  loveliness  as  Frank 
interpreted  it,  pronounced  to  be  "  so  nice  and 
fat." 

5 


93  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

This  we  felt  to  be  our  moment  of  victory,  anil 
Frank  was  directed  to  improve  it.  Standing  before 
the  fire,  with  a  gridiron  in  one  hand  and  a  dish-cloth 
in  the  other,  he  burst  into  a  strain  of  unequalled 
eloquence.  Without  understanding  a  word,  we 
could  imagine  him  painting  our  desolate  condition ; 
how  we  were  strangers  from  a  far-off  land,  had  left 
the  pale-faces,  our  wives,  our  little  ones,  bringing 
with  us  only  their  faint  delineation  on  paper,  in 
order  that  we  might  see  the  beauties  and  grandeur 
of  the  Indian's  home — to  sleep  in  the  woods,  to 
float  upon  the  lakes,  to  wander  through  the  forests, 
to  explore  the  rivers.  How  we  felt  the  red  men  to 
be  our  brothers,  and  wished  to  know  them  better, 
wished  to  stay  long  with  them,  to  voyage  in  their 
company  and  under  their  guidance ;  that  we  were 
great  men  in  our  own  land,  but  knew  little  of  the 
wilderness  or  the  manners  of  savage  life ;  that  we 
were  rich  in  corn,  in  pork,  in  flour  and  biscuit,  but 
had  not  thought  to  bring  our  purses,  which  were 
filled  to  overflowing,  with  us ;  but  that  we  felt  our 
brethren  of  the  great  Chippewa  tribe  would  befriend 
us,  would  supply  us  with  canoes  and  guides,  and 
help  us  on  our  way.  That  the  great  universal 
brotherhood  of  man  demanded  it,  and  that  the  time 
might  come  when  they  would  be  in  our  land,  penni- 
less and  ignorant,  and  might  have  to  look  to  us  for 
canoes  and  guides ;  and  would  be  glad  to  remind 
us  of  the  time  they  helped  us  up  the  Agawa. 

At  the  end  of  every  sentence  and  at  every  pause, 
the  Indians  all,  big  and  little,  broke  in  with  a  simul- 


BIG  TREE. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  99 

taneous  m-m-m,  a  sort  of  grunt  that  became  more 
vigorous  as  Frank  became  excited,  and  grew  louder 
as  his  arguments  grew  stronger  ;  till  before  he  was 
through,  the  listener  would  have  supposed  that  the 
entire  party  was  suffering  in  the  agony  of  what 
children  know  as  the  stomach-ache.  The  grunt  was 
not  in  the  least  like  the  conventional  humph,  was 
uttered  without  opening  the  mouth,  which  would 
have  been  an  excessive  and  unnecessary  labor,  and 
"was  capable  of  great  expression.  It  began  sympa- 
thetic, grew  appreciative  and  confirmatory,  and  at 
last  became  wildly,  enthusiastic;  evidently  taking  its 
origin  from  the  Greek  chorus,  which  is  of  a  similar 
appropriateness ;  it  was  the  strangest  accompaniment 
to  a  public  speech  we  ever  heard. 

Feeling  the  importance  of  the  case,  we  endea- 
vored to  keep  our  countenances ;  but  what  with 
Frank's  bursts  of  eloquence,  his  graceful  and  im- 
pressive gestures  with  the  gridiron,  the  vehement 
grunt  in  chorus  at  every  pause,  our  strange 
position  congregated  in  the  wild  woods  round  a  fire 
with  a  parcel  of  unkempt  savages,  begging  to  swap 
off,  as  our  Yankee  brethren  would  say,  a  quantity  of 
biscuit  for  a  passage  in  a  canoe,  we  could  not  con- 
tain ourselves,  but  rolled  over  in  convulsions  of 
laughter. 

At  first  the  Indians  did  not  know  what  was  the 
matter,  then  they  joined  with  us,  and  when  we 
attempted  to  imitate  their  grunt  they  shouted  louder 
than  we  had  done.  Frank  felt  that  aspersions  were 
cast  upon  his  eloquence,  and  seemed  to  have  his 


100  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

feelings  hurt,  but  unable  to  resist  the  general  hilarity, 
at  last  joined  the 

"roar 
That  echoed  along  the  shore." 

What  Frank  had  really  said  I  never  could  find 
out,  but  believe  that  he  mentioned  the  subject  we 
had  at  heart  no  farther  than  merely  to  order  the 
young  men  to  bring  their  canoes.  Although  half- 
breed  himself,  he  was  influenced  by  the  general 
contempt  for  the  rights  of  a  savage,  and  determined 
in  his  own  mind  to  have  the  canoes  and  pay  for 
them  as  he  pleased.  Doubtless  also  he  was  more  or 
less  controlled  by  a  dread  of  sejf-depreciation  in 
acknowledging  that  he  served  penniless  employers. 
To  our  persistent  questions  he  would  respond  laco- 
nically that  it  was  arranged,  but  would  say  nothing 
as  to  particulars.  As  we  were  entirely  in  his  hands, 
having  discovered  that  not  a  word  of  our  language 
did  the  Indians  understand  nor  we  a  word  of  theirs ; 
and  as,  although  our  desire  to  do  justice  was  great 
and  might  have  been  strong  enough  to  induce  us  to 
give  up  the  idea  of  obtaining  the  canoes,  we  were 
utterly  unable  to  communicate  it,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  Frank's  course. 

The  Chippewa  language  is  beautiful,  easy,  flowing, 
graceful,  full  of  vowels,  expressive,  capable  of 
vigorous  impression,  and,  were  it  more  generally  un- 
derstood, pleasant  to  acquire ;  but  above  all  is  it 
advantageous  when  an  entire  ignorance  of  its  mean- 
ing enables  you  to  take  what  you  want  and  pay  for 


LAKE  SUPERIOR. 


101 


it  as  you  please.  And  if  the  native  is  dissatisfied  he 
cannot  vituperate  or  abuse  you,  as  the  strongest  word, 
leplus  vilaiti  mot,  as  Frank  expressed  it,  fortunately 


102  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  canoes  arrived  on  the  following  morning  ere 
our  breakfast  was  dispatched,  and  having  stowed 
into  them  our  fishing-gear  and  the  requisites  for  a 
simple  meal,  we  were  about  embarking  when  Don, 
who  was  directed  to  sit  on  the  bottom  of  one,  be- 
tween the  two  Indian  boys,  entered  a  violent  protest, 
and  seating  himself  on  a  log  instead,  announced  he 
should  cither  not  go  at  all,  or  should  be  allowed  to 
pole  and  have  sole  charge  of  one  end  of  the  canoe. 
This  proposition  astounded  all  who  could  under- 
stand, and  would  have  astounded  the  others  still 
more  if  they  had  understood  it ;  but  ere  we  had 
recovered  our  breath  Don  commenced  explaining 
his  views  : 

"  For  many  years  I  have  heard  of  voyaging  in  a 
canoe ;  have  thought  it  the  chief  pleasure  of  the 
wilderness,  and  have  been  anxious  not  only  to  learn 
how,  but  to  do  it.  Of  course,  you  will  hardly  ex- 
pect me  to  know  how  to  manage  so  frail  a  boat 
without  practice,  and  yet  if  I  never  practise,  how 
am  I  to  learn  ?  It  is  self-evident  I  must  commence 
some  time.  If  you  admit  that,  and  you  can  scarcely 
dispute  it,  what  better  time  could  I  have  than  the 
present  ?  You  propose  to  take  the  bow  of  the  other 
canoe,  and  although  you  are  probably  not  as  expert 
as  the  savages,  you  did  not  acquire  such  skill  as  you 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  103 

possess  intuitively,  but  by  experience.  You  will 
probably  suggest  that  I  may  upset ;  if  so,  the  con- 
sequences fall  only  on  myself.  You  have  put  no 
stores  in  this  canoe,  and  the  ducking  will  be  mine. 
Let  one  of  the  Indians  stay  behind,  for  I  have  counted 
upon  this  as  my  greatest  pleasure." 

"  But,  Don,"  I  reasoned  mildly,  somewhat  appalled 
at  the  prospective  consequences,  "you  will  smash 
the  canoe." 

"  Oh,  no ;  you  did  not  do  so  when  you  commenced ; 
and  if  I  do,  it  is  not  worth  over  fifteen  dollars,  and 
I  can  pay  for  it.  We  have  stores  enough,  and  I  can 
make  up  the  difference  to  you." 

"  But  you  will  never  succeed " 

"  Pooh,  pooh  !  You  succeeded,  why  not  I  ?  I  do 
not  ask  you  to  give  up  the  pleasure  which  I  see 
plainly  you  are  bent  upon,  but  we  can  leave  one  of 
the  Indians  here ;  I  will  go  with  the  other,  and  you 
with  Frank.  That  will  make  the  load  lighter,  be- 
sides." 

"  Has  monsieur  ever  poled  a  canoe  ?"  asked  Frank, 
wonderingly. 

"  No  ;  but  I  must  commence.  Of  course,  I  will 
have  difficulty  at  first,  but  it  will  come ;  do  not 
trouble  yourself  about  me." 

"  The  work  of  poling  against  a  strong  current  is 
tremendous,  and  the  river  being  low,  the  rapids  are 
unusually  heavy.  You  will  be  entirely  exhausted 
ere  you  have  gone  half-way." 

"  Do  not  worry  yourself  about  my  sufferings ; 
although  your  argument  is  evidently  defective,  as 


104  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

low  water  cannot  be  stronger  than  high,  if  I  fail  to 
keep  up  with  you  I  can  lag  behind  or  come  home." 

"Really,  you  do  not  know  what  you  are  under- 
taking ;  but  I  will  tell  you  what  you  can  do.  Go 
with  the  two  Indians,  see  how  they  manage  in  the 
first  rapid,  and  then  take  the  place  of  one  and 
try  it." 

To  this,  after  much  protest  and  complaint,  Frank 
and  I  persuaded  him  to  agree  ;  more,  however,  as  a 
personal  favor  to  ourselves  than  on  any  other  ground, 
and  his  grumblings  of  dissatisfaction  were  loudly 
audible  till  we  had  passed  the  first  rapid  ;  Don  nei- 
ther offered  to  pole  nor  grumble  afterwards. 

The  water  was  very  strong,  collected  in  large 
pools,  and  then  rushing  with  tremendous  force  down 
a  confined  channel,  or  else  pouring  in  long  exhaust- 
ing stretches  of  foaming  current  over  pebbly  shal- 
lows and  amid  protruding  boulders.  At  one  spot 
Frank  and  myself  were  fifteen  minutes,  just  able  to 
hold  our  own  and  not  advancing  a  foot,  with  the 
imminent  risk  of  upsetting  at  any  instant ;  and  when 
I  was  out  of  the  canoe  fishing,  he  was  utterly  una- 
ble, to  the  intense  delight  of  the  Indians,  to  stem 
the  rapids  at  all. 

The  canoes  were  small,  and  the  canoe-men  had  to 
occupy  a  most  uncomfortable  position :  kneeling  and 
sitting  on  their  heels,  not  being  able  to  stand  erect 
as  I  had  often  done  in  larger  boats,  so  that  Frank 
complained  of  cramp  in  his  legs  for  days  afterwards. 
Short  setting  poles  were  used,  and  our  utmost 
strength  had  to  be  exerted  where  the  current  was 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  105 

strong.  Of  course,  the  Indians  were  entirely  at 
home  at  the  work,  and  although  straining  their  best, 
enjoyed  our  deficiencies  and  shouted  over  our  mis- 
haps ;  whenever  we  either  caught  a  trout  or  came 
near  upsetting  our  canoe,  whenever  we  had  any 
good  luck  or  any  bad  luck,  and  often  when  we  had 
neither,  they  roared  with  laughter.  Not  appearing 
to  give  the  fate  of  their  canoe,  which  was  in  our 
hands,  a  thought,  they  were  intensely  amused  when- 
ever we  brushed  against  a  rock  or  careened  her  till 
the  water  flowed  in.  Instead  of  the  proverbial  taci- 
turn grimness  of  the  conventional  Indian,  they  were 
hilarious  and  loquacious,  although  their  language 
was  a  sealed  book  to  us.  They  were  on  the  best 
footing,  and  held  animated  conversations  with  our 
guides,  were  continually  amused  at  their  own  witti- 
cisms, and  when  on  our  return,  while  descending  an 
unusually  dangerous  rapid,  Frank,  distrustful  of  my 
judgment,  insisted  upon  taking  entire  charge  of  the 
canoe,  and  as  a  natural  consequence  came  very  near 
upsetting  and  throwing  us  into  the  boiling  waters, 
to  the  peril  of  our  lives  and  destruction  of  the  boat, 
they  could  hardly  contain  themselves,  but  made 
merry  over  it  the  entire  way  home. 

The  Agawa  winds  among  high,  bleak,  and  sterile 
hills,  is  rapid  and  filled  with  pools,  but  has  none  of 
those  tumbling  cascades  which  give  life  to  the  water 
and  wear  out  deep,  dark  holes  where  trout  love  to 
congregate  in  warm  weather.  The  current,  stained 
with  the  dead  leaves  and  decaying  vegetation  of 
the  ponds  and  marshes,  where  it  has  its  source,  is 
5* 


106  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

amber-colored,  and  lends  its  hue  to  the  pebbly  bot- 
tom over  which  it  flows.  It  evidently,  throughout 
its  great  extent,  furnishes  admirable  spawning- 
grounds  for  the  fastidious  trout,  and  in  cool  weather 
is  filled  with  them  in  vast  numbers.  But  when  a 
warm  season  has  heated  the  water,  and  a  drouth 
has  diminished  the  current,  the  fish,  finding  the  ele- 
ment unsuited  to  their  comfort  or  even  existence, 
are  compelled  to  seek  the  cool,  shady  caverns  of  the 
lake  shore. 

The  river,  when  we  visited  it,  was  in  this  condi- 
tion, and  there  were  none  but  small,  dark-colored 
fish,  which,  although  excellent  in  the  frying-pan,  after 
the  excessive  exertion  of  surmounting  the  rapids 
had  given  us  an  appetite,  furnished  but  tame  sport 
on  the  line. 

Our  dinner  was  pleasant,  our  trip  exciting,  the 
scenery  wild,  the  river  interesting,  the  savages 
amusing,  and  ourselves  agreeably  entertained ;  but 
we  returned  early,  possessed  of  a  wretched  show  of 
game.  We  had  taken  two  dozen  fish,  but  none  of 
them  were  large. 

On  issuing  from  the  secluded  channel  of  the  river, 
we  realized,  to  our  surprise,  that  a  heavy  gale  was 
blowing  from  the  south-east.  We  had  not  felt  the 
wind  till  we  approached  the  open  water,  and  emerged 
from  among  the  hills  and  trees,  but  soon  found  the 
waves  rolling  in  upon  the  sand-beach  in  a  way  to 
remind  one  of  the  surf  on  "  Old  Long  Island's  sea- 
girt shore." 

The  waves  appeared  to  drive  the  trout  in  from 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  107 

the  lake,  and  towards  evening  the  river  near  its 
mouth  was  alive  with  them,  breaking  in  every  di- 
rection ;  yet,  strange  to  say,  although  we  cast  our 
flies  frequently  directly  over  them,  and  kept  on  fish- 
ing till  it  was  night,  not  a  trout  did  we  take.  In 
all  our  experience  such  a  thing  had  never  happened, 
and  where  they  were  so  numerous,  a  dozen  often 
being  visible  at  the  same  instant,  so  voracious  and 
unaccustomed  to  the  presence  of  man,  it  was  extra- 
ordinary. Fish  will  frequently,  although  breaking 
freely,  refuse  the  fly,  but  generally  a  few  will  be 
misled,  and  occasionally  one  will  be  caught ;  but 
here  in  the  Agavva,  a  hundred  miles  from  civiliza- 
tion, we  saw  ten  thousand  trout  in  the  space  of  five 
hundred  yards,  and  after  expending  skill  and  pa- 
tience, failed  to  take  a  single  one. 

No  explanation  of  this  phenomenon  presented 
itself;  there  was  nothing  in  the  air,  water,  or  time 
of  day  to  explain  it,  and  although  it  was  followed 
during  the  night  by  a  great  change  of  temperature, 
there  would  appear  to  be  no  connection  between 
the  two  events.  The  fish  seemed  to  be  playing 
rather  than  feeding  like  salmon  running  in  from 
the  sea ;  and,  anticipating  cooler  weather,  may  have 
been  preparing  to  ascend  the  river.  And  it  is 
proper  to  mention  here  that  two  gentlemen,  who 
fished  tiie  river  a  few  weeks  afterwards,  had  remark- 
ably fine  sport. 

Fishing  having  proved  itself  vanity  and  flies  a  niis- 
conceptiQn,  we  returned  to  the  tent  and  superin- 
tended the  payment  of  the  guides,  by  impressing 


108  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

upon  Frank  the  necessity  of  giving  them  sufficient. 
One  received  his  in  a  greasy,  dirty  hat  that  he  had 
worn  for  several  seasons,  and  which  could  hardly 
have  improved  the  flavor ;  and  the  other,  not  having 
so  expensive  a  luxury  as  a  hat,  wrapped  his  in  a 
neck-cloth  that  had  been  in  use  day  and  night  for 
years,  and  had  never  been  washed.  Frank  gave 
them  each,  in  addition,  a  little  butter  on  a  biscuit, 
and  they  hurried  away,  delighted  with  their  trea- 
sures. 

The  Indian  children  had  brought  a  number  of 
agates  that  they  had  collected  from  time  to  time, 
and  Don  selected  the  best,  which  were,  however, 
inferior  specimens,  and  paid  for  thorn  also  by  barter. 
Of  course,  our  little  friend  Wajack  had  her  store  to 
exhibit,  and  received  a  favorable  consideration  from 
Don,  who  endeavored  to  make  her  understand  a  few 
English  words,  which  were  such  exquisite  baby-talk 
as  to  be  nearly  incomprehensible  to  the  rest  of  us. 
He  found  in  the  long  run  that  he  succeeded  better 
by  holding  up  the  proposed  payment  and  pointing 
to  the  agate,  as  none  of  the  savages  presumed  to 
ask  for  more  than  we  offered. 

The  following  morning  the  trout  again  declined 
positively  to  recognize  our  allurements,  and  the 
wind  being  fair,  we  concluded  to  commence  our 
homeward  voyage.  We  were  sorry  to  part  with 
our  amusing  Indian  friends,  notwithstanding  an 
occasional  pang  of  fear  for  our  numerous  articles 
that  lay  scattered  about,  and  which  it  is  only  justice 
to  say  were  entirely  untouched  •  but  as  we  could 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  109 

make  nothing  of  the  fishing,  had  become  possessed 
of  the  best  agates,  and  had  explored  the  river  tho- 
roughly, we  proceeded  to  reembark. 

The  wind  was,  for  the  first  time,  in  every  way 
favorable ;  but  ere  we  had  reached  Point  aux  Mines 
it  had  become  so  violent  that  Frank,  alarmed  at  the 
increasing  roulan,  began  to  talk  of  his  wife  and 
eight  children,  and  how  sorry  they  would  be  if  he 
were  drowned;  and  when  the  wind  further  in- 
creased, and  Frank  began  to  talk  of  his  nine  chil- 
dren, we  concluded  it  was  time  to  stop  and  put 
into  a  port  of  distress.  In  truth,  those  open,  heavily 
laden  boats  are  not  the  safest  of  vessels  in  a  sea- 
way, and  yawing  about  as  they  do  before  every 
wave,  have  to  be  watched  carefully  lest  they  broach 
to  and  fill. 

Charley  enjoyed  Frank's  terror,  and  would  have 
kept  on  as  a  matter  of  pride  till  his  employers  were 
satisfied;  but  Frank,  with  streaming  hair,  staring 
eyes,  and  blanched  countenance,  was  a  picture  of 
distress,  and  if  we  had  not  given  permission,  would 
have  taken  it  to  run  behind  the  first  friendly  point. 

This  proved  to  be  Point  aux  Mines,  where  in 
former  days  a  copper  mine  had  been  located,  and 
the  shafts  and  buildings,  dilapidated  it  is  true,  and 
fast  crumbling  to  pieces,  remained  to  mark  the 
traces  of  man's  enterprise.  The  point  had  been 
purchased  by  a  company  from  the  Crown;  but  as 
the  latter  failed  to  pay  the  Indians,  who  were  the 
rightful  owners,  they,  with  the  assistance  of  many 
of  the  Canadians,  among  whom  was  our  friend 


11C  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

Charley,  made  a  night-attack  upon  the  post,  and, 
by  a  complete  surprise,  captured  it  without  loss  or 
bloodshed.  The  speculation  never  having  been  pro- 
fitable, the  company  was  only  too  glad  to  be  cap- 
tured ;  and  having  obtained  an  extravagant  indem- 
nity from  the  home  government,  never  resumed 
possession  of  the  works. 

The  buildings  were  windowless  and  tenantless, 
and  served  as  shelter  for  voyaging  parties  of  In- 
dians ;  the  underground  passages  were  falling  in, 
the  machinery  was  going  to  ruin,  the  platforms 
were  rotting,  and  the  gardens  had  grown  up  with 
long,  rank  grass. 

We  explored  the  shafts,  collected  some  specimens 
of  the  ore,  and  returned  to  the  boat  in  time  to  find 
the  wind  greatly  abated,  and  embarking,  soon  ar- 
rived at  the  Point  of  Mamainse.  Having  fished  for 
a  short  time  from  a  rock  named  after  one  of  our 
best  New  York  fishermen,  Stevens's  Rock,  we  con- 
tinued our  voyage,  and  reached  the  former  camp- 
ing-ground on  the  Batchawaung  before  dark. 

The  weather  had  changed.  The  rain  was  falling 
in  that  dull,  penetrating  drizzle  that  is  so  depressing 
to  one's  spirits,  and  the  cold  air  made  our  wet 
clothes  and  damp  bed  far  from  comfortable.  Camp- 
ing in  a  rain,  building  a  smoky  fire  from  damp  logs, 
and  making  a  bed  of  wet  boughs,  in  spite  of  the 
protection  of  water-proof  blankets,  is  unpleasant, 
although  it  rarely  produces  sickness.  Don  bore  the 
discomfort  with  a  patient  composure  that  was  an 
eminent  example  to  our  city  exquisites,  and  never 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  Ill 

uttered  a  complaint ;  on  the  slightest  provocation 
he  would  probably  have  proved,  conclusively,  that 
moisture  was  man's  natural  condition,  and  infinitely 
preferable  to  sunshine  and  dry  clothes. 

On  ascending  the  river  next  day,  as  Don  and 
myself  were  walking  along  the  bank  we  observed 
a  rustling  in  the  grass,  and  pausing,  roused  a  flock 
of  partridges.  I  shot  one  as  they  rose,  and  behold- 
ing them,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  alight  on  the 
neighboring  trees,  proceeded  to  poach,  thinking 
only  of  the  pot,  and  shot  from  the  trees  and  on  the 
ground,  in  utter  disregard  of  all  sportsmanlike  rules, 
*he  entire  covey.  They  consisted  of  but  a  single 
orood,  and  the  young  were  not  more  than  three- 
quarters  grown  ;  but  the  anticipation  of  their  juicy 
tenderness  on  the  gridiron  overpowered  any  qualm- 
ish sentimentality,  and  right  glad  were  we  to  collect 
the  ten  plump,  tender  little  fellows  into  a  bloody 
pile. 

The  trout  had  moved  from  their  former  locality, 
but  were  plentiful  as  ever,  enabling  us  to  satisfy  our 
desires  and  return  early  to  camp,  with  one  fish  of 
four  pounds  and  several  of  three.  During  the  day 
there  was  a  sudden  change  of  temperature,  preceded 
by  a  furious  attack  from  the  brulots  upon  our  un- 
happy persons.  Apparently  anticipating  the  advent 
of  cold  weather  and  partial  lethargy,  they  satiated 
their  appetites  with  our  blood,  in  spite  of  ointments 
r-nd  veils. 

During  our  absence  a  party  of  fishermen  had 
arrived  from  the  Sault,  and  finding  our  camp, 


112  LAKE   SUPERIOR, 

located  themselves  a  few  hundred  yards  below  us. 
As  we  descended  the  river  next  morning,  we  stopped 
to  exchange  salutations  and  inform  them  of  the  con 
dition  of  the  fishing.  Being  ourselves  abundantly 
satisfied  with  killing  trout,  we  proposed  making  a 
short  visit  to  the  romantic  Harmony  before  return- 
ing to  the  Sault,  and  left  the  strangers  in  the  sole 
possession  of  the  Batchawaung. 

We  found  the  Harmony  lower  and  warmer  than 
we  had  left  it,  almost  deserted  by  trout,  but  other- 
wise as  beautiful  and  picturesque  as  ever.  We  lin- 
gered round  the  falls,  and  listened  to  the  noisy  cas- 
cade, drank  from  the  ice-cold  spring,  shot  a  few 
ducks  on  the  lower  stretch  of  water,  killed  a  dozen 
fine  trout  at  the  upper  shute,  and  indulged  in  the 
luxury  of  laziness. 

Don  had  been  heretofore  as  active  as  any  member 
of  the  party,  often  up  the  first  and  to  bed  the  last ; 
frequently  rousing  the  guides  from  their  slumbers  by 
a  loon-like  call,  repeated  until  they  appeared ;  but 
on  our  first  morning  at  the  Harmony  he  positively 
refused  to  get  up,  and  to  my  persistent  entreaties, 
replied  in  a  despondent  voice : 

"  It  is  no  use  ;  you  give  me  no  rest,  keep  me  up 

every  night  till  eleven,  work  me  to  death  all  day, 

and  let  the  flies  and  mosquitoes  annoy  me  without 

cessation.     I  will  stand  it  no  longer,  and  intend  to 

leep  as  late  as  I  please." 

"But,  Don,  breakfast  is  ready,  and  you  will 
lose  it." 

"  Then  I  shall  have  a  second  breakfast   You  feed 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  113 

ine  on  pork,  and  trout,  and  ducks,  till  I  am  tired  of 
them,  and  get  no  nourishment  from  the  endless  repe- 
tition." 

"I  have  made  a  beautiful  omelet  this  morning, 
and  it  will  be  ruined." 

"Then  make  me  another — we  have  plenty  of 
eggs — or  I  will  make  it  for  myself." 

"  But  you  will  miss  the  morning's  fishing." 

"  I  do  not  care.  I  have  caught  trout  enough  to 
last  my  lifetime,  and  I  will  have  a  little  rest." 

With  that  he  turned  over,  incontinently  went  to 
sleep,  and  no  efforts  on  our  parts,  nor  shouts  from 
the  guides,  who  with  delight  imitated  the  cry  with 
which  he  had  been  accustomed  to  wake  them, 
could  rouse  him  till  eleven  o'clock.  Apparently 
much  refreshed,  he  eat  a  light  lunch  preparatory  to 
a  more  substantial  dinner,  the  hour  for  which  had 
almost  arrived.  Getting  up  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
woods  is  equivalent  to  sleeping  till  four  in  the  after- 
noon in  the  city. 

Somewhat  moved  by  his  complaints,  and  having 
plenty  of  leisure-time,  I  devoted  myself  to  providing 
foi  dinner  the  best  our  larder  afforded  :  soup  made 
from  preserved  vegetables  furnishing  the  first 
course  ;  trout,  larded  and  fried,  the  second  ;  broiled 
duck,  garnished  with  thin  pieces  of  pork,  the  third ; 
and  such  entremets  as  boiled  rice,  chow-chow,  and 
the  like,  closing  with  a  dessert  of  that  remarkable 
and  ill-named  preparation  called  corn-starch,  one  of 
the  most  valuable  discoveries  for  the  city-bred  ex- 
plorer of  the  woods. 


114  LAKE  SUPERIOE. 

Corn-starch  is  a  remarkable  edible,  supplying  the 
greatest  variety  possible,  never  seeming  to  result  in 
the  same  production,  and  furnishing  a  subject  of  un- 
tiring wonder  as  to  what  form  it  will  take  next. 
On  some  days  it  would  be  beautiful,  transparent, 
bluish  jelly,  then  it  would  be  a  solid,  opaque  white, 
and  again  a  dusky  brown  semi-liquid  substance ; 
frequently  it  resembled  pap,  and  now  and  then 
would  be  full  of  doughy  lumps,  as  though  endeavor- 
ing to  effect  an  experimental  pot-pie ;  sometimes  it 
tasted  of  liquorice,  at  others  it  seemed  flavored  with 
molasses;  but  generally  it  had  not  the  slightest 
particle  of  taste.  I  never  could  calculate  on  a  result ; 
if  I  tried  to  obtain  jelly,  I  made  pap ;  if  pap  was  my 
purpose,  pot-pie  would  be  the  product. 

Don  eat  it  daily  in  a  state  of  bewilderment  bor- 
dering on  idiocy,  inquiring  regularly  after  the  first 
taste :  "  What  have  we  here,  now  ?"  But  once, 
when  brown  instead  of  white  sugar  was  used,  and 
effectually  obliterated  all  other  flavor,  he  made  what 
young  ladies  call  a  face.  The  inventor  of  corn- 
starch  must  be  a  wonderful  man,  but  it  is  to  be 
desired  that  he  would  reduce  his  bantling  to  a  little 
better  state  of  subjection,  and  put  on  his  labels 
directions  more  applicable  to  the  woods,  where 
milk  and  moulds  and  flavoring  extracts  are  not  to 
be  had,  and  ice-creams  are  a  reminiscence  of  the 
past. 

Monotony  is  the  drawback  to  life  in  the  woods, 
and  corn-starch  is  doubly  welcome  on  that  account. 
It  is  nutritious,  being  composed  of  the  essential 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  115 

portions  of  the  grain,  is  compact,  and  easily  pro 
tected  from  wet ;  it  furnishes  an  astonishing  variety 
of  desserts  where  any  dessert  is  a  luxury,  and  it  is 
an  admirable  addition  to  one's  stores,  though  I  wish 
it  had  a  little  more  taste. 

The  dinner,  including  the  corn-starch  dessert,  was 
a  success,  and  revived  Don's  spirits,  so  that  he  was 
up  betimes  thereafter  during  our  stay  at  the  Har 
mony. 

With  reluctance  we  bade  farewell  to  the  pretty 
stream,  whose  soothing  murmurs,  grateful  shade, 
and  wild  scenery  invited  us  to  remain ;  and  our 
eyes  lingered  on  the  hills  from  which  it  springs,  as 
we  slowly  passed  out  of  Batchawaung  Bay  on  the 
route  to  Gros  Cap  and  the  Sault.  But,  aware  that 
our  limited  time  was  almost  expired,  we  pushed  on 
our  homeward  way,  stopping  to  dine  at  the  camp- 
ground near  its  mouth.  Here  we  found,  amid  the 
debris  of  ancient  wigwams,  the  bleached  skulls  of 
numerous  beavers,  and  wore  surprised  at  the  pecu- 
liar formation  of  their  long,  mordant  teeth.  We 
had  frequently  noticed  logs  of  considerable  diameter 
that  had  been  cut  through  by  these  powerful  natu- 
ral saws,  and  that  bore  the  long  furrows  that  they 
made ;  but  were  astonished  to  find,  in  extracting 
these  teeth  from  the  skull,  that  they  constituted 
nearly  a  semicircle.  Worn  as  they  would  be  by 
severe  and  continued  use,  nature  had  made  this 
provision  to  supply  the  rapid  waste,  and  the  portion 
of  the  ivory  concealed  in  the  skull  was  fully  two 
inches  long.  Don  collected  several,  and  finding  a 


116  LAKE   SUPEKIOR. 

peculiarly  large  specimen,  muttered,  on  withdraw- 
ing the  teeth,  that  it  must  be  the  remnants  of 
"  Ahmeek,  the  king  of  beavers." 

Before  reaching  Gros  Cap  we  struck  and  lost,  by 
the  fouling  of  our  trolling  lines,  which  were  bo  th 
out  together,  a  very  large  lake  trout.  This  fish,  in 
spite  of  his  size,  gave  so  little  play  that  we  were 
scarcely  aware  that  we  had  hooked  him,  and  were 
astonished  when  we  saw  his  immense  proportions 
as  he  came  near  the  boat.  We  scarcely  considered 
his  loss  a  disappointment. 

We  spent  two  days  at  Gros  Cap,  having  fine 
sport  and  killing  some  large  fish.  Don  broke  his 
tackle  several  times,  and  the  lively,  bright-colored, 
vigorous  trout,  luxuriating  in  their  appropriate  ele- 
ment, the  cold  spring  water  of  the  lake,  gave  us 
excellent  play.  Wandering  from  rock  to  rock,  and 
casting  out  into  the  limitless  lake,  every  rise  was 
sudden  and  unexpected,  every  'step  changed  the 
distance  of  our  cast  and  the  character  of  the  fishing- 
ground. 

The  submerged  rocks  were  visible  through  the 
limpid  water,  and  from  beside  them  or  from  their 
deep,  dark  fissures  a  trout>  might  rise  with  a  furious, 
impetuous  plunge  at  any  moment.  The  fish  were 
numerous,  breaking  in  the  placid  evenings  in  my- 
riads, and  the  sport  was  entrancing.  During  the 
warm  mid-days,  when  the  sun  was  too  brilliant  or 
the  lake  too  calm  for  fishing,  we  would  wander 
about  the  island,  hunting  specimens,  inspecting  na- 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  117 

tural  peculiarities,  and  chasing  the  ephemerae  that 
had  supplied  the  place  of  the  \>\*Qw.phryganid<je. 

There  was  a  surprising  similarity  of  color  in  all 
Jhe  natural  flies  of  that  region ;  they  were  mostly 
of  modified  shades  of  brownish  yellow  or  gray. 
The  yellowish  variety  had  two  long  whisks,  one 
inch  and  three-quarters  long,  banded  with  gray, 
eyes  round,  white,  and  protuberant,  with  a  black 
speck,  and  eight  sections  to  the  body.  They  were 
quite  active  and  numerous,  while  other  varieties 
resembled  them  in  general  appearance  and  charac- 
teristics. 

The  rocks  were  seamed  with  veins  of  copper,  the 
oxide  of  which  had  discolored  the  adjoining  stone, 
and  occasionally  we  could  obtain  pretty  and  appa- 
rently rich  specimens.  Unfortunately,  neither  Don 
nor  myself,  though  well  enough  read  in  the  classics 
and  other  equally  useful  sciences,  had  ever  studied 
mineralogy,  and  were  as  good  judges  of  minerals  as 
a  savage  would  be  of  a  watch.  Our  ignorant  con- 
clusions, however,  were  that  if  the  north  shore  of 
Lake  Superior  were  properly  explored,  under  Yan- 
kee supervision,  mines  might  be  discovered  equal- 
ling those  of  the  south  coast.  With  this  sage  con- 
clusion we  were  forced  to  be  satisfied. 

Charley  had  a  passion  for  prospecting  ;  was  ready 
at  a  moment's  notice  to  dig  out  with  the  axe  any 
strange-looking  deposit,  fully  convinced  that  some 
day  he  should  make  his  fortune,  if  he  only  could 
learn  to  distinguish  the  valuable  from  the  worthless. 

At  last  a  strong  westerly  wind  came  out,  and  a 


118  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

Heavy  fog  settled  down  upon  us,  wrapping  the  hills 
in  its  graceful  shroud,  hanging  pendant  from  the 
distant  rocks  and  trees,  shutting  out  the  lake  from 
view,  covering  the  bushes  with  glittering  gems,  and 
wetting  our  thin  clothes  uncomfortably.  As  there 
was  too  much  sea  running  to  fish,  we  wrapped  our- 
selves up  in  the  water-proofs,  and  embarking  the 
remnants  of  our  property,  set  sail  for  the  Sault. 

This  was  to  be  our  last  day  on  the  lake,  our  last 
day  in  the  open  woods,  the  last  time  we  were  to 
stand  face  to  face  with  nature's  solitude — and  our 
spirits  felt  depressed  at  the  prospect.  No  more 
sleeping  beneath  the  cool  canvas,  no  more  looking 
out  upon  the  limitless  Big-Sea-Water,  no  more  peer- 
ing up  into  the  silent  night,  and  no  more  of  those 
thronging  thoughts  and  grateful  inspirations  that 
feed  the  soul  in  the  wilderness.  The  freedom  from 
rules  and  restraint  was  to  be  laid  aside,  the  easy 
dress  must  be  replaced  by  the  methodical  cut,  the 
manners  and  acts  must  be  shaped  to  those  of  others, 
and  we  were  to  conduct  ourselves  henceforward 
according  to  the  received  and  established  pattern. 
We  were  approaching  civilization,  where  stiff  and 
stately  houses  were  to  limit  our  views,  and  man's 
works  shut  out  those  of  God. 

The  wind  soon  hauled  ahead,  and  driving  back 
the  fog,  let  down  a  flood  of  sunlight  on  the  spark- 
ling water ;  but  the  current  being  quite  strong  in 
our  favor  as  we  approached  the  outlet,  we  made 
good  headway,  passing  in  our  course  a  yacht  crowd- 
ed with  sportsmen,  and  under  full  sail  going  wing 


OUR  LAST  HOUR. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  119 

and  wing  for  the  Neepigon,  encountering  other  sail- 
ing vessels,  and  meeting  with  occasional  evidences 
of  man's  presence. 

At  six  o'clock  that  evening  we  shot  the  rapids, 
and  discharging  our  load  at  the  wharf,  ensconced 
ourselves  once  more  beneath  the  hospitable  roof  of 
the  Chippewa  House.  Three  glorious  weeks  had 
come  and  gone  since  we  were  last  there — three  weeks 
of  unalloyed  happiness,  three  weeks  of  invigorating 
life  and  exercise,  worth  all  the  medicines  in  the 
world — three  weeks  of  intelligent  and  sensible  enjoy- 
ment. In  that  time  impressions  had  been  made  and 
lessons  had  been  learned  never  to  be  forgotten  ; 
health  had  been  acquired  that  would  last  for  years, 
joy  tasted  that  would  leave  its  flavor  during  life. 
And  now  farewell  to  the  staunch  old  barge  ;  farewell 
to  our  canvas  home,  to  the  merry  camp-fire,  to  the 
woodsman's  life  ;  farewell  to  the  deep  forests,  the 
sombre  pines,  the  waving  elms,  to  the  dancing 
streams,  and  the  open  water ;  farewell  to  our  faith- 
ful guides ;  farewell  to  the  graceful  trout,  the  elegant 
namsegoose,  the  fierce  black  bass ;  a  long  farewell 
to  Gitche-Gume,  Big-Sea-Water,  the  greatest  of  the 
great  lakes  of  our  great  country  1 


120  LAKE  SUPEKIOR. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE  finest  trout-fishing  in.  the  world  is  to  be  ob 
tained  at  Lake  Superior ;  although  larger  fish  may 
be  killed  in  the  lakes  and  streams  of  Maine,  and 
greater  numbers  in  the  brooks  of  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  New  York,  and  Pennsylvania,  nowhere  is 
to  be  found  the  same  abundance  of  trout,  averaging 
above  two  pounds,  and  wonderfully  game  and  vigor- 
ous, and  nowhere  a  more  beautiful  region  to  explore 
or  pleasanter  waters  to  fish  over.  The  entire  rocky 
shore  of  the  lake,  along  both  coasts,  is  one  extensive 
fishing-ground,  where  the  skilful  angler  can  at  any 
point  find  delightful  sport;  the  innumerable  tribu- 
taries, large  and  small,  of  the  British  or  American 
territory,  unless  shut  out  by  precipitous  falls,  are 
crowded  with  myriads  of  the  speckled  beauties  ; 
and  the  rapids  at  the  outlet  furnish  trout  of  the 
largest  size. 

The  true  mode  of  enjoying  the  sport  is  by  camp- 
ing out,  when  the  adventurous  sportsman  roams 
from  point  to  point  and  river  to  river,  from  camp- 
ing-ground to  camping-ground,  at  his  own  unre- 
strained will,  varying  the  sights  and  sounds  of 
beauty  that  are  ever  present  in  the  wilderness ;  but 
excellent  fishing  can  be  had  at  numerous  places. 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  121 

united  with  comfortable  accommodation.  At  the 
Sault  St.  Marie,  at  Marque tte,  at  Grand  Island,  and 
at  Bayfield  public-houses  are  to  be  found,  and  so 
plentiful  a  supply  of  fine  fish  that  the  heart  of  man 
cannot  fail  to  be  satisfied ;  but  the  finest  sport  is  to 
be  realized  along  the  Canadian  shore,  where  camp- 
ing-out is  a  necessity ;  for  while  on  the  southern 
coast  the  trout  average  a  pound,  on  the  northern 
they  will  run  fully  two  pounds  in  weight. 

Near  civilization  game  and  fish  are  sure  to  be 
scarce  and  shy.  There  are  trout  to  be  caught  in 
the  Sault,  but  on  account  of  the  depth  of  water,  bait 
is  apt  to  kill  the  largest.  So  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
other  cities,  the  angler  can  visit  them  all  in  a  sum- 
mer, but  if  he  can  spare  the  time,  and  is  not  prepared 
to  roam  through  the  large,  and  perhaps  dangerous 
lake,  he  ought  by  all  means  to  go  to  the  Neepigon, 
as  he  can  now  do  without  difficulty,  and  take  his 
share  of  the  innumerable  and  enormous  fish  which 
are  to  be  had  there.  He  may  not  catch  any  over 
five  pounds  in  weight,  but  ho  is  sure  to  take  as 
many  as  he  wants,  while  the  scenery  alone  would 
more  than  repay  a  trip. 

A  few  miles  below  the  Sault  the  Garden  River 
affords  good  sport  and  fair-sized  trout,  but  is  a  diffi- 
cult stream  to  ascend,  while  the  first  promontory 
on  the  southern  shore  of  the  lake,  called  White  Fish 
Point,  has  long  been  famous  as  a  fishing-station. 
At  Marquette,  which  is  a  regular  stopping-place  for 
the  steamers  that  traverse  the  lake,  the  waters  are 
somewhat  fished  out ;  but  about  thirty  miles  to  the 
6 


122  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

eastward,  within  an  easy  day's  sail,  at  Grand  Island' 
there  is  splendid  fishing,  magnificent  scenery,  and  a 
passable  boarding-house.  Here  are  the  famous  Pic- 
tured Rocks,  ornamented  with  the  fantastic  hues  of 
many-colored  sandstone,  and  worn  by  waves  and 
storms  into  a  thousand  odd  shapes  and  strange  re- 
semblances, hollowed  out  into  caverns,  washed  away 
into  pinnacles  and  spires,  at  one  place  representing 
a  yacht  under  full  sail,  at  another  a  turreted  castle 
of  the  olden  time. 

About  sixty  miles  beyond  Marquctte  are  the 
Dead,  tne  Yellow  Dog,  and  Salmon  Trout  rivers, 
which  are  apt  to  be  encumbered  with  drift-wood 
and  underbrush,  but  which  are  filled  with  fish,  and 
from  one  of  which  a  brook-trout  of  six  and  a  half 
pounds  was  taken.  The  photograph  of  this  fish,  or 
another  of  about  the  same  size,  is  preserved  at  the 
Sault. 

At  Bayfield,  the  further  terminus  of  the  steam- 
boat  route,  named  after  the  first  American  explorer 
and  surveyor  of  this  region,  is  the  best  of  fishing, 
united  with  good  hotel  life.  In  the  neighborhood 
of  this  village  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  weight 
of  speckled  trout  have  been  killed  in  one  day  by 
one  good  fisherman  and  one  poor  one  ;  fish  of  two 
and  three  pounds  are  common,  and  in  the  sheltered 
channels,  between  the  Apostle  Islands,  the  namaa- 
goose  are  taken  in  unlimited  quantities.  The  Brule 
"River,  and  the  many  streams  that  empty  into  the 
lake  in  the  neighborhood,  although  often  choked 
with  drift,  are  filled  with  fine  trout. 


LAKE  SUPERIOR.  123 

On  the  north  shore,  amid  the  interminable  forests 
that  stretch  in  primeval  solitude  to  the  northern 
sea,  enlivened  only  with  the  voice  of  the  Peebiddy 
bird  and  one  other  melancholy  warbler,  beautified 
by  a  rare  sprinkling  of  native  wild-flowers, 

"  In  the  kingdom  of  Wabasso, 
In  the  land  of  the  white  rabbit," 

and  along  the  Canadian  shore  of  the  lake,  is  the  para- 
dise of  the  fly-fisher.  Every  river  swarms,  every  bay 
is  a  reservoir  of  magnificent  fish  that  find  their 
equals  in  size,  courage,  vigor,  and  beauty  only  in 
the  salt  waters  of  New  Brunswick  and  Lower 
Canada.  The  entire  coast  is  one  long  fishing-sta- 
tion, the  rivers  are  stew-ponds,  and  the  lake  one 
vast  preserve ;  at  every  step  the  angler  may  cast 
his  fly  into  some  eddy  of  the  discolored  stream  or 
over  some  rocky  shoal  of  the  limpid  lake  with  a  fair 
prospect  of  alluring  from  the  depths  a  glorious  em- 
bodiment of  piscatory  power  that  shall  struggle  and 
fight,  leaping  from  the  water,  and  making  many 
fierce  rushes  for  a  good  twenty  minutes,  till  he 
yields  himself  to  the  embrace  of  the  net,  exhibiting 
amid  its  brown  folds  the  glorious  silver  brilliancy  of 
the  loveliest  inhabitant  of  the  liquid  element.  As 
he  advances  along  the  shore,  an  endless  variety  of 
water  and  land,  continuous  changes  of  rock  and 
tree,  and  dark,  bottomless  depths  or  light  gray 
shallows,  present  themselves  to  his  eye ;  at  one  mo- 
ment he  is  clambering  along  the  steep,  rough  side 
of  a  precipice,  whence  he  can  scarcely  toss  his  line 


124  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

a  dozen  paces,  at  the  next  he  is  walking  securely 
upon  some  flat  rock  whence  the  receding  hills  per- 
mit him  to  cast  to  the  utmost  limit  of  his  ability,  01 
he  may  ascend  the  nearest  stream  by  the  aid  of  his 
strong  barge,  or  in  the  light  canoe,  or  else  wading 
waist  deep  against  the  rushing  current,  and  there, 
overshadowed  by  the  hills  and  shrouded  amid  the 
waving  trees,  he  can  visit  pool  after  pool,  try  eddy 
after  eddy,  till  he  and  his  men  and  the  boat  are 
loaded,  and  satiety  bids  him  rest. 

Along  the  lake  there  is  scarcely  a  choice  of  local- 
ity ;  from  the  sandy  beach  at  Point  aux  Pins  to  the 
outlet  of  the  Pigeon  River — the  boundary  of  two 
nationalities — at  every  point,  in  every  cove,  trout  are 
to  be  taken,  and  often  in  abundance  ;  but  probably 
the  best  as  well  as  the  most  accessible  spots  are 
Gros  Cap  and  Mamainse.  Of  the  rivers  the  most 
famous  is  the  Neepigon,  where  barrels  of  trout, 
averaging  four  pounds,  have  been  taken  in  one  day ; 
but  the  Batchawaung  and  the  Agawa  are  nearly  as 
good,  and  within  a  more  convenient  distance,  while 
the  Harmony  is  unequalled  for  wild  and  romantic 
scenery. 

The  fish  of  Lake  Superior  excel  those  of  the  other 
inland  waters,  either  in  flavor  or  game  qualities,  and 
sometimes,  as  with  trout,  in  both.  The  lake-trout 
and  white-fish  bring  a  higher  price  in  the  Detroit 
markets  than  those  of  Erie  and  Ontario,  have  a  more 
brilliant  color  and  firmer  flesh,  and  the  trout  in- 
finitely surpass  in  appearance,  strength,  and  endur- 
ance the  dull,  logy  productions  of  the  Umbagog  or 


LAKE  SUPERIOK.  125 

Moosehead  Lake.  On  taking  the  fly  and  experienc- 
ing the  astonishing  disappointment,  they  make  one 
rush  like  their  fellow-sufferers  the  salmon,  and  find- 
ing the  pain  clings  to  them,  they  leap  with  the 
energy  of  grilse  with  wild  repetition,  in  the  vain 
hope  of  shaking  the  tormenting  barb  from  their  lips. 
Nor  do  they  resign  themselves  after  a  feeble  strug- 
gle, but  retain  strength  for  many  a  rush  when  the 
ugly  net  is  exhibited,  often  smashing  tackle,  carry- 
ing off  leaders,  and  breaking  tips  in  the  course  of 
the  contest.  Their  colors  are  exquisitely  delicate, 
their  backs  transparent  mottled  green,  their  sides 
of  pearly  whiteness,  marked  with  brilliant  carmine 
specks  and  faint  blue  spots,  and  their  fins  of  the  hue 
of  clouded  cream.  Their  flesh  is  flaky  and  rich, 
seamed  with  curd,  and  delicious  to  the  hungry 
sportsman. 

After  having  fished  from  Labrador  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  killed  trout  in  every  State  where  trout 
are  to  be  killed,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  fishing  of 
Lake  Superior  surpasses  that  of  any  other  region  on 
our  continent,  and  is,  as  a  natural  consequence,  the 
best  in  the  world. 

There  are  several  remarkable  peculiarities  of  scen- 
ery, among  which  are  the  pictured  rocks  and  the 
sand  dunes ;  and  the  sparkling  lake,  when  stirred  by 
a  gentle  breeze,  is  beautiful  in  the  effulgence  of  the 
vertical  summer  sun  ;  but  the  forests  are  gloomy 
and  sombre,  nearly  impenetrable  on  account  of  fallen 
trees,  and  in  the  lower  lands  grown  up  with  vast 
ferns,  those  evidences  of  the  antiquity  of  our  conti- 


126  LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

nent ;  so  that  the  sportsman  is  mainly  confined  to 
his  canoe  and  the  narrow  strip  of  lake  shore  between 
the  beating  waves  and  the  impending  hills.  Beneath 
his  feet  are  the  hard  rocks,  seamed  with  yellow  veins 
of  copper,  or  wave- worn  pebbles  sparkling  with  a 
hundred  varying  colors,  only  less  beautiful  than  the 
glistening  fish  that  the  skilful  angler  entices  from 
the  lake  and  lands  among  them.  From  this  narrow 
strip  he  surveys  the  broad  expanse  of  the  Big-Sea- 
Water,  and  dreams  of  the  countless  myriads  that 
rest  in  its  liquid  depths. 

He  travels  with  ease  and  comparative  comfort ; 
in  the  commodious  barge  he  stows  the  innumerable 
articles  that  fill  the  measure  of  a  sportsman's  luxu- 
ries, including  among  them  a  roomy  tent,  appetizing 
delicacies,  abundant  clothes,  and  whatever  else  fancy 
dictates.  With  the  barge,  which,  although  twenty- 
two  feet  long,  is  light  and  draws  little  water,  he 
ascends  the  larger  streams ;  or  he  hires  some  pass- 
ing Indian  and  his  birch  canoe,  that  wonderful 
structure  so  beautifully  and  accurately  described  by 
Hiawatha : 

"  Lay  aside  your  cloak,  0  Birch-Tree, 
Lay  aside  your  white-skin  wrapper, 
For  the  summer-time  is  coming, 
And  the  sun  is  warm  in  heaven, 
And  you  need  no  white-skin  wrapper. 

Give  me  of  your  boughs,  0  Cedar, 
Of  your  strong  and  pliant  branches 
My  canoe  to  make  more  steady, 
Make  more  strong  and  firm  beneath  me. 


LAKE   SUPERIOK.  127 

Give  me  of  your  roots,  0  Tamarack, 
Of  your  fibrous  roots,  0  Larch-Tree, 
My  canoe  to  bind  together, 
So  to  bind  the  ends  together 
That  the  water  may  not  enter, 
That  the  river  may  not  wet  me. 

Give  me  of  your  balm,  0  Fir-Tree, 
Of  your  balsam  and  your  resin, 
So  to  close  the  seams  together 
That  the  water  may  not  enter, 
That  the  river  may  not  wet  me. 

Give  me  of  your  quills,  0  Hedgehog, 
All  your  quills,  0  Kagh  the  hedgehog, 
I  will  make  a  necklace  of  them, 
Make  a  girdle  for  my  beauty 
And  two  stars  to  deck  her  bosom. 

Thus  the  Birch  Canoe  was  builded 
In  the  valley  by  the  river, 
In  the  bosom  of  the  forest, 
And  the  forest's  life  was  in  it, 
All  its  mystery  and  its  magic, 
All  the  lightness  of  the  birch-tree, 
All  the  toughness  of  the  cedar, 
All  the  larch's  supple  sinews ; 
And  it  floated  on  the  river 
Like  a  yellow  leaf  in  Autumn, 
Like  a  yellow  water-lily." 

And  in  this  thing  of  life  and  beauty  the  fisherman 
finds  his  way  to  the  head  waters  of  the  smallest 
brooks  or  crosses  portages  from  one  river  to  ano- 
ther, feeling  for  the  time  the  joys  of  independence 
and  savage  life. 


128  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

The  gaudy  flies  known  as  the  Irish  lake-flies, 
dressed  on  a  small  salmon-hook  of  about  No.  1J,  are 
successful  throughout  the  entire  length  of  the  lake ; 
but  in  the  rivers  a  common  brown  or  red  hackle  on 
the  same  sized  hook,  dressed  with  silver  tinsel,  scar- 
let body,  and  very  full,  long  hackle,  is  decidedly  the 
most  killing,  and  in  the  lake  answers  full  as  well  as 
the  more  expensive  articles.  Very  small  flies  are 
not  desirable,  owing  probably  to  the  depth  and 
occasional  turbulence  of  the  water  in  the  lake  and 
its  discoloration  in  the  rivers,  which  prevent  their 
being  perceived  by  the  fish.  Stout  tackle  and  a 
heavy  rod  are  better  than  lighter  gear,  as  no  one 
wishes  to  waste  time  on  small  fish,  and  the  rises  are 
so  frequent  that  the  angler  will  not  become  weary 
by  continued  casting.  A  gaff  is  necessary  for  the 
Mackinaw  salmon,  and  a  large  landing-net  for  trout, 
but  otherwise  nothing  is  required  different  from 
that  which  the  sportsman  would  take  in  a  day's  trip 
to  the  classic  haunts  of  Long  Island. 

As  the  region  around  Lake  Superior  is  well  to- 
wards the  Arctic  zone,  the  weather  is  cool,  and 
blankets,  overcoats,  and  warm  clothes  are  necessary ; 
but  there  will  be  frequently  several  successive  days 
of  extreme  heat,  when  the  thermometer  will  rise  to 
ninety  in  the  shade.  The  great  drawback  to  this 
section  of  country,  in  fact  to  all  our  unopened  lands, 
is  the  immense  number  of  mosquitoes,  black-flies, 
and  sand-flies.  These  pests  are  found  numerously 
everywhere  in  our  woods,  but  nowhere  are  they  so 
plenty  or  combined  so  equally  as  along  the  shores 


LAKE   SUPERIOR.  129 

of  Lake  Superior.  All  clay  long  the  black-flies  watch 
their  chance  to  find  a  bare  spot  of  human  flesh  to 
sting  and  tear ;  immediately  on  the  falling  of  the 
shades  of  evening  the  almost  invisible  sand-flies,  the 
"no  see  'ems"  of  the  half-educated  Indian,  make 
their  appearance  in  countless  millions  of  infinitesimal 
torture,  and  all  night  long  the  ceaseless  hum  of  the 
hungry  mosqaito  drives  sleep  from  the  wearied 
sportsman's  eyelids.  Veils  and  ointments  are,  there- 
fore, a  prime  necessity,  without  which  a  visit  to  this 
section  is  an  impossibility ;  and  even  with  the  best 
protections,  the  warm  days  that  give  these  insects 
unaccustomed  activity  are  scarcely  tolerable.  But 
in  spite  of  these  petty  discomforts  it  is  a  noble  lake, 
beautiful  in  all  its  moods,  silent  and  waveless  in  the 
warm  sunshine,  rippled  and  sparkling  in  the  gentle 
breeze,  or  lashed  to  anger  by  the  storm,  when  it 
rages  along  the  shore  and  bursts  in  furious  surf 
upon  the  rocks.  Nowhere  else  can  trout-fishing  be 
had  in  greater  perfection  and  more  endless  variety, 
nowhere  else  can  the  fisherman  find  purer  sources 
of  enjoyment  or  finer  opportunities  to  exercise  his 
art,  and  nowhere  else  can  the  lover  of  nature  dis- 
cover more  to  amuse  or  instruct  him.  It  lies  in  the 
heart  of  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness,  the  largest 
lake  in  the  world,  one  huge  spring  of  the  coldest 
ice-water,  and  filled  with  trout  that  the  painter  can 
scarce  find  colors  to  imitate,  and  that  will  dwell  in 
the  angler's  memory  for  ever. 
6* 


130 


LAKE   SUPEEIOR. 


MACKINAW  SALMON.  131 


MACKINAW   SALMON. 

Namaycush — Salmo  Amethystus. 

OF  all  the  varieties  of  Salmonidce  that  perma- 
nently inhabit  the  fresh  water,  this  fish,  although 
somewhat  destitute  of  game  qualities,  is  alone  en- 
titled, on  account  of  his  great  size  and  excellence  up- 
on the  table,  to  the  honored  name  of  Salmon,  is 
found  throughout  the  northern  lakes,being  prevent- 
ed by  the  impassable  barrier  of  Niagara  Falls  from 
descending  to  the  sea,  occasionally  visits  Lake  Erie, 
but  attains  his  finest  condition  around  the  cold,  clear 
depths  of  Lakes  Huron  and  Superior.  He  is  named 
after  one  of  his  favorite  localities,  and  reaches  the 
immense  weight  of  nearly  or  quite  one  hundred 
pounds,  and  is  the  grandest  prize  of  the  inland 
waters  of  our  northern  continent. 

In  color,  the  Mackinaw  Salmon  differs,  as  does  the 
brook  trout,  according  to  the  peculiarities  of  his 
habitat,  whether  rocky  or  muddy  shoals,  or  deep 
open  water  ;  and  to  such  a  degree  that,  according  to 
Professor  Agassiz,  he  is  known  to  the  Canadian 
Voyageurs  under  different  names,  and  individual 
specimens  are  frequently  considered  half-breeds  or 
a  cross  between  this  species  and  the  Siskawitz. 
Among  th?,  aborigines  he  is  distinguished  by  the  ap- 


132  MACKINAW  SALMON". 

pellation  which  is  usually  spelled  namaycush,  although 
it  is  pronounced  namaegoose,  and  has  the  accent 
strongly  on  the  second  syllable,  and  is  never  by  them 
confounded  with  any  other  variety  of  lake  trout. 
The  fish  of  Lake  Superior  are  of  stronger  colors ;  are 
darker  on  the  back ;  have  redder  flesh,  and  are  uni- 
versally preferred  gastronomically  to  those  of  other 
localities. 

In  Spring  and  early  Summer,  they  appear  to  leave 
the  deep  water,  and  seeking  the  rocky  shallows,  feed 
voraciously  upon  the  numerous  small  fry  furnished 
in  abundance  by  our  western  lakes.  Throughout 
May,  June,  July,  and  August,  they  can  be  captured 
in  abundance  with  the  trolling  spoon,  trailed  after 
a  boat  propelled  by  oars  or  a  gentle  breeze,  but  are 
rarely  taken  of  over  twelve  pounds  weight.  At  such 
times  they  are  excellent  eating;  their  flesh  being 
rich,  firm,  and  closely  approaching  in  color  that  of 
their  congener,  the  famous  /SaZr#o  Salar,  and  they 
are  delicious  simply  boiled  or  made  into  the  basis 
of  a  chowder. 

Unfortunately,  although  they  bite  voraciously, 
they  give  no  satisfactory  play,  allowing  themselves 
to  be  drawn  in  without  resistance,  and  there  is  no 
fish  approaching  them  in  size  which  is  so  largely  de- 
void of  game  qualities.  At  times  they  seem  even  to 
swim  gently  forward  as  though  they  preferred  com- 
ing towards  the  boat,  till  che  fisherman  is  uncertain 
whether  they  are  still  on  ;  and  although  at  the  last 
moment  they  make  a  few  flounces,  their  apparent 
weakness  for  a  fish  so  powerfully  formed,  is  astonish- 


MACKINAW  SALMON.  133 

ing.  To  be  sure  if  a  man  had  a  hook  in  his  mouth 
he  would  follow  the  slightest  pull ;  but  we  do  not 
expect  such  conduct  from  a  fish,  especially  from  one 
endowed  with  the  graceful  and  vigorous  shape  of 
the  Mackinaw  Salmon. 

They  take  any  of  the  trolling  spoons,  appearing, 
however,  to  prefer  the  old  style,  copied  from  the 
bowl  of  a  spoon,  but  rather  elongated,  to  the  expen- 
sive and  fanciful  modern  improvements.  Those  sold 
at  the  Sault  St.  Marie  are  from  five  to  six  inches 
long  and  made  of  tin  ;  but  a  better  bait  will  be  found 
in  the  mother  of-pearl  imitation  fish.  To  insure  suc- 
cess, the  weather  should  be  moderate,  either  calm  or 
with  a  gentle  breeze  rippling  the  surface  of  the  water, 
for  the  reason  that  in  the  open  lake  a  strong  wind 
will  cause  so  heavy  a  swell  that  the  fish  cannot  see 
the  bait,  and  the  oarsmen  cannot  control  the  boat. 
They  are  not  shy;  but  as  the  water  is  frequently 
deep,  although  wonderfully  clear,  the  difficulty  is  to 
attract  their  attention.  For  this  purpose  sufficient 
line  must  be  used  to  sink  the  bait  slightly  beneath 
the  surface,  and  the  boat  must  not  move  too  rapidly. 

They  are  captured  in  all  the  bays  and  indenta- 
tions of  Lakes  Huron  and  Superior,  where  the  bot- 
tom is  rocky  and  the  water  not  over  one  hundred 
feet  deep.  In  Lake  Superior  they  are  abundant ;  in 
Goulais'  Bay,  at  Michipicotten  Island,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Bayfield,  and  almost  everywhere  else. 

Late  in  the  fall  they  retire  to  the  sombre  depths, 
and  are  only  taken  by  still  fishing  with  a  long  line 
and  live  bait,  and  at  such  times  the  deep  water 


134  MACKINAW   SALMON. 

abreast  of  Gros  Cap  is  one  of  their  favorite  locali- 
ties, and  they  are  there  frequently  caught  by  the 
Indians  of  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  pounds.  They 
are  salted  and  smoked  by  the  inhabitants  for  winter 
use,  but  like  the  speckled  trout  are  too  dry  for  that 
purpose,  and  should  never  be  killed  by  the  sports- 
man except  as  an  article  of  immediate  consumption. 
They  are  usually  distinguished  among  Americans 
as  the  Mackinaw  Salmon,  although  that  universal  and 
totally  undescriptive  name  Lake  trout  is  occasion- 
ally applied  to  them,  and  are  called  by  the  Canadian 
voyagers  truites  du  lac. 

The  gums  of  this  fish  are  of  a  purple  tinge,  and 
from  this  peculiarity,  which  is  by  no  means  invaria- 
ble, is  derived  their  scientific  name.  The  scales  are 
small  and  the  lateral  line  is  nearly  straight.  The 
under  gill  cover  is  large  and  grooved  ;  while  there 
are  many  teeth,  the  prominent  ones  being  very  sharp 
and  much  curved,  and  the  tongue  has  a  row  on  each 
side. 

The  fin  rays  are :— D.  14,  P.  15,  V.  9,  A.  12,  C.19 £. 

The  tail  is  narrow  at  the  root,  and  spreads  broad 
toward  the  extremity.  The  color  on  the  back  is 
deep  sea  green,  spotted  with  green  and  yellow  spots ; 
on  the  sides  it  is  purple,  with  lilac  spots,  and  on  the 
belly  pure  white.  The  tail  is  dark  and  beauti- 
fully spotted  the  whole  length.  It  is,  altogether,  a 
remarkably  handsome  and  graceful  fish. 

The  spawning  season  is  October,  and  the  opera- 
tion is  performed  in  the  shallows  near  shore,  at  which 
time  the  fish  are  mercilessly  speared  by  the  natives. 


LAKE  TROUT.  135 


LAKE  TROUT. 

Salmon  Trout — Salmo  Confinis. 

THIS  variety  of  the  non-migratory  Salmonidce, 
although  somewhat  similar  in  general  appearance  to 
the  foregoing  species,  does  not  attain  the  same 
gigantic  size.  It  is  found  numerously  throughout 
the  middle  and  Eastern  States,  as  well  as  in  the 
great  Northern  lakes,  but  bears  a  vastly  inferior 
rank  in  the  estimation  both  of  the  epicurean  and  the 
sportsman. 

Its  gastronomic  appreciation,  I  believe,  however, 
is  much  influenced  by  the  period  of  the  year  in 
which  it  is  taken.  Early  in  the  season  it  is  rich,  firm, 
and  of  fine  flavor,  the  flesh  being  of  a  light  orange, 
and  breaking  into  beautiful  flakes.  At  such  times 
it  is  unquestionably  excellent.  In  Summer  it  is 
admirable  as  the  foundation  for  a  chowder,  having 
some  of  the  peculiarities  in  a  higher  development 
of  the  cod  ;  and  serving  as  a  pleasant  change  from 
the  ordinary  boil  or  fry  of  the  common  trout.  It 
is  also  quite  eatable  if  cut  into  steaks  and 
broiled. 

Its  scientific  description  is  as  follows : — The  scales 
are  minutely  striate ;  the  lateral  line  is  slightly 
curved  near  the  head  ;  the  tongue  has  large  teeth 


136  LAKE   TROUT. 

along  the  central  furrow ;  there  are  many  acute  teeth 
on  the  palatines  and  vomer ;  the  tail  has  a  sinuous 
margin ;  the  bases  of  the  vertical  fins  are  spotted, 
and  the  flesh  is  coarse. 

The  fin  rays  are :— D.  14,  P.  14,  V.  9,  A.  12,  C.  21  f . 

In  color  it  is  blackish  or  bluish-black,  with  nume- 
rous pale  spots.  It  is  taken  with  trolling  tackle,  but 
rarely  or  never  with  the  fly.  The  spawning  season 
is  October,  when  it  seeks  the  shallow  water  for  that 
purpose. 


THE  SISKAWITZ.  137 


THE   SISKAWITZ. 

Salmo  Siscowet. 

THIS  species  has  a  dentition  very  similar  to  the 
Salmo  Ameihystus,  but  not  quite  so  robust.  The 
upper  and  lower  raaxillaries  and  intermaxillaries, 
and  each  of  the  palatines,  have  a  row  of  teeth.  The 
vomer  one  and  the  tongue  two  rows,  beside  the 
acute  teeth.  The  tail  is  less  furcate,  and  the  dorsal 
fin  is  larger  than  in  the  Mackinaw  Salmon.  The 
flesh  is  rich  and  of  fine  flavor,  but  almost  too  fat. 

The  fin  rays  are:— D.  12,  P.  14,  A.  12,  14,  V.  9, 
C.  30. 

This  fish  is  shorter  and  stouter,  and  not  so  dis- 
tinctly spotted  as  the  Mackinaw  Salmon ;  it  is  alto- 
gether less  handsome,  but  has  similar  habits,  and 
bites  readily  at  the  trolling  spoon.  It  was  first  de- 
scribed by  Professor  Agassiz,  not  many  years  ago, 
during  his  tour  of  Lake  Superior,  but  has  always 
been  distinguished  by  the  Indians  and  Voyageurs,  and 
known  among  them  under  its  distinctive  appellation. 

The  Siskawitz  inhabits  the  upper  portion  of  Lake 
Superior,  and  never  descends  towards  the  outlet,  and 
is  taken  in  the  neighborhood  of  Isle  Royale  in  abun- 
dance. It  is  said  also  to  be  found  in  some  of  our 
other  lakes,  but  is  very  rare. 


138  STRIPED   BASS. 


STEIPED   BASS. 

Rock-fish — Librax  Lineatus. 

THESE  glorious  fish,  the  delight  of  the  angler'a 
heart,  the  bravest  and  strongest  except  the  salmon, 
the  largest  without  exception  of  the  finny  tribe  that 
the  sportsman  pursues;  frequent  every  cove  and  bay 
of  our  northern  Atlantic  coast,  and  furnish  the  main 
attraction  of  salt-water  fishing. 

Their  mode  of  capture  differs  according  to  the 
locality ;  from  the  rock-bound  coast  of  the  Eastern 
States  the  adventurous  angler,  perched  upon  some 
projecting  rock,  casts  the  simple  bait  into  the  crested 
wave,  amid  the  thundering  surf  of  the  stormy  sea ; 
along  the  sandy  shores  and  in  the  tranquil  inlets  of 
the  Middle  States,  gut  snells,  sinker  and  float  come 
into  play  in  the  rapid  tide  ways ;  and  among  the 
numerous  lagoons  and  bays  of  the  Southern  States 
the  clumsy  but  effective  hand-line  is  employed. 

To  the  eastward,  menhaden  and  lobster  are  the 
favorite  baits;  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  York 
shrimp,  crab,  and  squid ;  and  in  the  Southern  States 
killeys,  herrings,  and  other  small  fish.  The  artificial 
baits  are  the  eel-skin,  imitation  squid,  and  gaudy 
bass-fly.  The  eel-skin  used  mainly  along  New 
England  shores  is  attached  to  a  hand-line,  and  cast 
into  and  drawn  rapidly  through  the  boiling  surf  of 


STRIPED  BASS.  139 

the  ocean  ;  the  squid  is  towed  with  trolling  tackle 
behind  the  sail  or  row  boat,  in  the  quiet  waters  of 
the  Middle  States ;  while  the  fly  is  used  with  stout 
rod  and  long  line  wherever  the  fresh  current  of 
some  river  haunted  by  fish  falls  directly  into  the  salt 
water  of  the  sea. 

For  casting  with  the  menhaden  from  the  rocks, 
Cuttyhunk  Island,  Point  Judith,  West  Island, 
Pasque  Island,  Montauk  Point,  and  Newport  Island 
itself,  are  favorite  localities ;  while  the  Little  Falls  of 
the  Potomac  at  the  Chain  Briflge,  near  Washington, 
where  the  green  waters  dash  over  the  sunken  rocks 
and  eddy  round  the  cliffs  that  rise  perpendicular 
from  the  river's  brink,  furnish  the  finest  fly  fishing 
for  bass  in  the  world. 

For  bait-casting  the  necessary  implements  are  a 
large  reel,  running  on  steel  pivots,  two  hundred 
yards  of  flax  line  attached  to  a  7°  hook  with  a 
round  head,  and  a  rod  of  not  over  nine  feet  in 
length,  with  a  large  agate  funnel  top.  With  such 
tools  experienced  fishermen  can  cast  a  slice  cut 
from  the  side  of  a  menhaden,  and  weighing  about 
three  ounces,  two  hundred,  aye,  nearly  three  hun- 
dred feet  into  the  curling  breakers  of  the  Atlantic 
ocean,  and  kill  bass  that  will  pull  down  the  scales  at 
fifty,  sixty,  and  seventy  pounds. 

A  mode  of  preparing  a  bass  line  to  render  it 
light  and  water-proof,  without  weakening  it,  is 
recommended  by  excellent  authority,  and  is  simply 
to  soak  it  for  one  night  in  fish  oil  which  does  not 
rot  linen,  to  hang  it  up  to  drain  the  following  day, 


140  STRIPED   BASS, 

and  to  place  it  in  mahogany  sawdust  to  dry.  When 
thus  prepared  it  does  not  soak  water,  nor  even  sink. 

Fly-fishing  for  bass,  however,  is  the  perfection  of 
the  sport,  and  infinitely  surpasses  in  excitement  all 
other  modes  of  killing  these  noble  fish.  The  best 
season  on  the  Potomac  is  in  July  or  August,  and 
the  favorite  hours  the  early  morning,  or  the  twilight 
of  the  evening.  The  ignorant  and  mercenary  natives 
who  inhabit  the  romantic  region  of  hill  and  valley 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Tenally  Town,  about  five 
miles  northwest  of  "Washington,  and  who,  dead  to 
the  beauties  that  nature  has  lavished  around  them, 
and  utterly  unacquainted  with  scientific  angling, 
look  merely  to  their  two  cents  per  pound  for  striped 
bass,  manufacture  a  fly  by  winding  red  or  yellow 
flannel  round  the  shank  of  a  large  hook,  adding 
sometimes  a  few  white  feathers.  They  substitute 
for  rod  a  young  cedar  sapling,  denuded  of  bark  and 
seasoned  by  age,  and  attaching  to  the  upper  end  a 
stout  cord,  fish  with  the  large  flannel  swathed  hook  in 
the  rapids  and  below  the  falls  of  the  Potomac,  at 
the  old  chain  bridge,  and  without  a  reel,  kill  bass  of 
twenty  or  thirty  pounds. 

No  spot  can  be  imagined  more  wild  and  roman- 
tic, and  with  proper  tackle,  the  reel,  the  lithe  salmon 
rod,  and  the  artistic  fly — no  sport  can  be  more  excit- 
ing. The  roar  of  the  angry  flood,  the  bare  precipices 
topped  with  foliage  on  the  opposite  bank,  the  flat 
dry  bed  of  the  stream  where  it  flows  during  the 
heavy  freshets,  but  at  other  seasons  a  mass  of  bare 
jagged  rocks,  and  the  dashing  spray  of  the  broken 


STRIPED   BASS.  .     141 

current  lend  a  charm  to  the  scene.  While  the  fish, 
rendered  doubly  powerful  by  the  force  of  the  stream, 
and  aided  by  the  numerous  rocks  and  falls,  have 
every  chance  to  escape. 

The  bass  pursue  the  silvery  herring,  which  is  the 
principal  natural  bait,  and  ascend  the  Little  Falls  of 
the  Potomac  during  the  summer  months  in  vast 
numbers.  They  are  captured  in  such  quantities 
with  the  net  in  the  salt  water  and  with  hook  and 
line  in  the  rapids,  as  to  be  almost  a  drug  in  the 
market. 

As  the  season  advances,  the  native  crawls  upon 
some  rock  that  reaches  out  into  the  stream,  and  with 
his  coarse  but  elastic  cedar  pole,  casts  the  roll  of 
flannel,  wrapped  round  a  hook  and  misnamed  a  fly, 
into  the  seething  current ;  and  when  the  brave  fish 
seizes  the  clumsy  allurement  the  fisherman  contends 
for  the  mastery  as  best  he  may,  occasionally  at  the 
risk  of  a  ducking  in  the  stream  consequent  upon  the 
sudden  breaking  of  his  tackle,  and  accompanied 
with  considerable  risk.  When  a  man  has  but  a 
slight  foothold  upon  the  slippery  surface  of  a  shelv- 
ing ledge,  and  has  attached  to  the  end  of  his  rod  a 
vigorous  fish  of  twenty  pounds,  he  is  apt  to  fall  if 
the  line  parts  unexpectedly.  Many  are  the  tales  of 
such  accidents,  and  now  and  then  of  fatal  results. 
But  with  proper  tackle,  the  scientific  angler  is  mas- 
ter of  the  situation ;  he  can  reach  any  part  of  the 
current,  casting  into  the  eddies  at  the  base  of  the 
precipitous  cliffs  opposite  ;  he  can  yield  to  the  rush 
of  the  prey ;  can  retire,  paying  out  line,  to  surer 


142  STRIPED   BASS. 

footing,  and  can  follow  the  fish  along  the  shore ;  and 
finally,  having  subdued  his  spirit  and  broken  his 
strength,  can  lead  the  prize,  gleaming  through  the 
transparent  water  with  the  sun's  rays  reflected  in 
rainbow  colors  from  his  scales,  into  some  quiet  nook 
where  he  can  gaff  him  with  safety.  Such  is  fly-fish- 
ing for  striped  bass  amid  the  most  lovely  scenery, 
gorgeous  in  its  summer  dress  of  green  and  alternat- 
ing hill  and  valley,  dotted  with  pretty  farms  and 
smiling  grain-fields  ;  and  there  is  but  little  sport 
that  can  surpass  it. 

Bass  are  also  taken  at  the  Grand  Falls,  ten  miles 
further  up  the  river ;  but  the  Little  Falls  are  their 
favorite  locality,  as  they  are  here  just  passing  from 
the  salt  tide  into  the  pure,  sparkling,  broken  fresh- 
water. They  frequently  weigh  twenty  pounds,  and 
occasionally  much  more ;  but,  of  course,  the  main 
run  is  smaller,  and  the  number  killed  in  lucky  days 
is  prodigious,  being  counted  by  hundreds. 

Bass  are  said  to  be  taken  with  the  fly  in  other 
rivers  of  the  Southern  States,  and  also  to  a  certain 
degree  in  those  of  the  north.  At  the  mouths  of 
narrow  inlets,  where  the  tide  is  rapid  and  diluted 
with  fresh-water,  a  gaudy  red  and  white  fly  with  a 
full  body,  kept  on  the  surface  by  the  force  of  the  cur- 
rent and  not  cast  as  in  fly-fishing,  will  occasionally 
beguile  them  ;  but  generally  speaking,  bass  are  not 
fished  for  with  the  fly  north  of  the  Potomac. 

Although  the  artistic  angler  naturally  despises  the 
miserable  flannel  abortion  manufactured  by  the  in- 
habitants of  Tenally  Town,  it  will  often  be  found  as 


MINNEHAHA  FALLS. 


STRIPED  BASS.  143 

good  a  lure  as  though  composed  of  the  rarest  mate- 
rials ;  in  fact  the  bass  exhibit  none  of  that  daintiness 
of  choice  that  is  universal  with  salmon.  So  long  as 
the  fly  is  large  and  showy  they  seem  to  be  satisfied, 
and  their  immense  mouths  can  readily  grasp  a  No. 
7  hook,  such  as  the  natives  occasionally  use.  One 
of  half  that  size  is  abundantly  large,  however,  and 
the  clearer  the  water  the  finer  should  be  the  tackle. 
The  rod,  reel,  and  line  are  those  appropriate  to  sal- 
mon fishing,  although  the  line,  if  it  is  wet  by  salt- 
water, should  be  afterwards  rinsed  in  fresh  to  pre- 
vent rotting.  Some  fishermen  fasten  a  float  above 
the  fly,  and  paying  out  line  let  it  run  down  stream 
into  distant  eddies ;  but  this  is  not  so  orthodox  a 
mode  of  proceeding,  and  does  not  require  equal  skill 
nor  as  delicate  tackle. 

After  a  fish  is  struck,  the  same  care  has  to  be  ex- 
ercised if  he  is  heavy  that  is  necessary  with  the  sal- 
mon, and  he  will  often  compel  the  angler  to  follow 
him  a  long  distance  ere  the  gaff  terminates  the  strug- 
gle. Bass  make  very  determined  but  not  such  rapid 
runs  as  their  fellow-denizen  of  the  flood,  the  salmo 
salar,  but  rarely  retain  that  reserved  force  which 
makes  his  last  dash  so  often  fatal ;  nevertheless  they 
are  resolute  and  powerful,  and  have  to  be  handled 
with  care. 

Another  mode  of  taking  bass,  which  is  strongly 
recommended,  even  for  the  open  bays  of  the  north, 
by  one  of  our  best  fishermen,  but  which  I  have  only 
tried  in  the  narrow  coves,  inlets,  and  streams,  where 
the  tide-way  can  be  covered  by  a  good  cast,  is  to 


144  STRIPED   BASS. 

use  the  salmon  rod,  line,  and  reel,  but  to  substitute 
a  shrimp  for  the  fly.  The  casting  is  then  done  in 
the  ordinary  manner,  and  the  gentleman  referred  to 
claims,  that  it  is  by  far  the  most  killing  mode.  If 
even  equally  successful,  it  is  certainly  far  preferable 
to  the  use  of  the  float  and  sinker,  or  to  the  dull 
monotony  of  bottom  fishing.  Any  sport  that  brings 
into  active  play  the  faculties  of  body  or  mind,  and 
which  demands  practice  and  experience,  surpasses 
the  one  that  requires  the  merely  passive  quality  of 
patience. 

The  most  successful,  and  excepting  perhaps  fly- 
fishing, the  most  skilful  method  of  taking  the 
striped  beauties  of  the  northern  coasts,  is  with  the 
menhaden  bait,  cast  into  the  boiling  surf  of  the 
ocean,  or  the  larger  bays ;  and  this  sport  is  univer- 
sally enjoyed  along  the  iron-bound  shore  of  New 
England,  from  New  London  to  Eastport.  This  en- 
tire reach,  is  one  mass  of  rock,  indented  by  innu- 
merable bays,  or  severed  by  inlets  into  barren  islands, 
where  the  tide  rushes,  and  the  surf  beats ;  and  in 
every  favorable  locality  are  the  bass  taken  with  a 
stout  rod,  a  long  line,  and  menhaden  bait.  From 
almost  every  bold  rock,  or  prominent  island,  can  the 
angler  cast  into  the  vexed  water  of  some  current, 
made  by  the  huge  waves  rushing  over  the  uneven 
bottom,  and  allure  thence  the  fierce  bass,  who  has 
been  attracted  from  the  ocean  depths,  to  feed  on 
the  small  fry  that  hide  in  the  clefts  and  crevices ; 
and  waiting  with  fins  often  visible  above  the  tide, 
to  pounce  upon  his  prey,  mistakes  for  it  the  angler's 


STKIPED  BASS.  145 

bait,  and  after  a  brave  struggle  surrenders  to  human 
ingenuity. 

Although  the  true  fisherman  may  pursue  the  small 
fish  of  the  Delaware  or  Hudson,  of  New  York  Bay 
or  the  Sound,  may  patiently  bide  their  time  at  Hack- 
en  sac  or  Pelham  bridges,  McComb's  dam  or  the 
hedges;  and  may  have  true  pleasure  in  capturing 
them  with  dancing  float  and  shrimp,  or  running 
sinker,  and  shedder  crab ;  if  he  can  spare  a  week 
or  two,  he  should  cut  adrift  from  the  noise  and  tur- 
moil, foul  stenches,  and  fouler  deeds  of  the  city  , 
and  hastening  to  Newport  or  Point  Judith,  enjoy 
the  noblest  sport  of  the  salt  water — bass-fishing 
with  menhaden  bait.  He  will  need  stout  nerves, 
strong  muscles,  good  tackle,  and  abundant  skill ;  for 
he  will  be  called  upon  to  cast  with  the  utmost  of 
his  power,  perhaps  a  hundred  yards,  and  to  strike 
and  land  fish  that  may  weigh  half  a  hundred  pounds. 
He  will  be  exposed  to  the  sea-breeze,  or  it  may  be 
the  storm  wind  at  early  day-light,  and  the  spray 
from  the  salt  waves,  and  wet  and  cold  will  be  his 
portion  ;  but  he  will  forget  these  trivial  evils,  when 
he  strikes  the  bass  of  forty,  fifty,  or  sixty  pounds,  the 
fish  that  he  has  been  living  for,  and  when  he  lands 
him  safely  on  the  slippery  rocks. 

Fishermen  of  character  have  been  known  to  as- 
sert, that  they  could  cast  with  the  rod,  the  ordinary 
menhaden  bait,  one  hundred  and  twenty  yards ;  and 
although  from  a  high  stand,  with  the  aid  of  a  strong 
wind,  this  is  possible,  the  ordinary  cast  is  not  over 
half  that  distance,  and  to  exceed  one  hundred  when 
7 


146  STRIPED  BASS. 

standing  on  a  level  with  the  water  is  rare  indeed. 
In  fact,  seventy-five  yards  is  a  good  cast,  and  no 
man  need  be  ashamed  who  can  put  out  his  line  fair 
and  true  that  distance.  Rather  better  can  be  done 
with  the  hand-line  than  with  the  rod,  but  with  far 
greater  fatigue,  and  a  painful  over-exertion  of  the 
muscles  of  the  arm  that  is  almost  unendurable  to  one 
who  has  not  steady  practice.  The  length  of  cast  is 
in  a  measure  controlled  by  the  direction  and  vio- 
lence of  the  wind  and  the  elevation  of  the  stand 
above  the  water  ;  in  a  contrary  wind  the  best  angler 
will  find  it  difficult  to  reach  seventy-five  yards,  while 
from  a  high  rock,  with  a  favorable  wind,  he  will 
cover  that  distance  with  ease. 

The  use  of  the  hand  line  is  neither  artistic  nor 
adapted  to  gentlemen  who  fish  for  pleasure,  although 
more  killing  probably  than  the  rival  method.  For 
rod  fishing,  the  best  tackle  and  implements  are  ne- 
cessary ;  the  rod  must  be  short  and  stout,  the  finest 
being  made  of  cane  at  a  fabulous  expense  ;  the  reel 
should  have  steel  pins  or  run  on  agate,  be  made 
large  and  perfectly  true,  and  the  line  must  be  from 
two  hundred  to  three  hundred  yards  long.  Cane 
rods  are  preferred  on  account  of  their  lightness  and 
elasticity,  but  they  are  at  present  almost  unattaina- 
ble at  any  price,  and  the  ordinary  ones  will  answer 
well,  although  after  several  hundred  casts  weight 
will  be  found  to  tell  on  unaccustomed  muscles.  The 
objection  to  jewelled  reels  is,  that  a  fall  or  blow  may 
render  them  useless,  while  they  run  but  little 
smoother  than  those  with  steel  pins.  The  reel  and 


STRIPED   BASS.  147 

guides  must  be  large  to  deliver  the  line  freely,  aiid 
if  the  line  is  seen  to  bag  during  the  cast  between 
the  guides,  it  is  a  sure  sign  that  they  are  too  small. 
The  line  is  of  twisted  grass  or  raw  silk,  which  is  the 
best  but  most  expensive  and  delicate ;  of  plaited 
silk,  which  is  the  strongest;  or  of  linen,  which  is 
cheap  and  common,  but  as  they  are  all  easily  rotted, 
is  the  one  in  general  US3.  The  grass  line,  if  it  over- 
runs and  whips  against  the  bars  of  the  reel,  is  sure 
to  cut,  but  it  delivers  beautifully ;  the  silk  line  soon 
becomes  water-logged  and  sticky ;  and  the  linen  one 
combines  these  defects  with  a  faculty  of  swelling 
when  wet  peculiarly  its  own.  A  perfect  bass-line  is 
a  desideratum  not  yet  supplied.  The  American  reels 
and  cane  rods  are  perfection,  but  the  lines  are  a 
cause  of  reproach  and  vexation  of  spirit. 

Casting  the  menhaden  bait  is  similar  to  casting 
the  float  and  sinker,  only  the  power  -is  enormously 
increased  and  deficiencies  proportionally  magnified. 
The  line  is  wound  up  till  the  bait,  if  a  single  one,  is 
almost  two  feet  from  the  tip,  the  rod  is  extended 
behind  the  fisherman,  who  turns  his  body  for  the 
purpose,  and  then  brought  forward  with  a  steady 
but  vigorous  swing  that  discharges  it  without  a 
jerk,  like  an  apple  thrown  from  a  stick  by  rustic 
youths.  The  reel  is  so  far  restrained  by  pressure  of 
the  thumb  that  it  revolves  no  faster  than  the  bait 
travels,  but  does  not  in  the  least  de.tain  it,  and  upon 
the  accuracy  of  this  manipulation  mainly  depends 
the  result.  If  too  much  pressure  is  used,  the  line 
cannot  escape  rapidly  enough  and  falls  short ;  if  too 


148  STRIPED   BASS. 

little,  the  reel  overruns  and  entangles  the  line,  stop* 
ping  the  cast  ere  half  delivered  with  a  jerk  that 
threatens  its  destruction.  The  fisherman  must  bo 
able  to  use  either  hand  on  the  reel  to  rest  his  arms 
and  to  take  advantage  of  the  wind. 

If  he  is  an  adept  he  will  drive  the  greasy  bait 
straight  and  true  directly  to  the  desired  spot,  and  if 
the  weather  is  favorable  and  the  fates  propitious,  he 
will  bring  up  some  scaly  monster  of  twenty-five  or 
mayhap  thirty  pounds,  who  will  start  seaward  with 
bait,  and  hook,  and  line,  and  only  be  persuaded, 
after  many  efforts  and  determined  rushes,  that  it  is 
in  vain.  The  strong  ocean  breeze  will  play  with  his 
hair  and  the  salt  spume  wet  his  cheek ;  the  vessels, 
like  floating  marine  monsters,  will  drift  across  the 
waste  of  waters  before  him,  the  seagulls  will  hover 
round  uttering  their  harsh  cry,  and  he  will  cast  and 
cast  till  arms  and  legs  are  weary,  and  he  may  kill 
in  a  single  day  a  thousand  weight  of  fish.  The 
fresh  air  will  give  such  a  tone  to  his  system,  and  the 
exercise  such  strength  to  his  muscles,  and  the  ex- 
citement such  vigor  to  his  nerves,  that  he  will  hardly 
believe  himself  the  same  relaxed,  despondent,  list- 
less individual  that  left  the  city  a  week  previous. 

The  most  famous  localities  for  the  sport  are  West 
Island,  Pasque  and  Cuttyhunk  Islands,  all  of 
which  have  been  purchased  by  clubs  of  gentlemen, 
and  Point  Judith  ;  so  that  except  at  the  latter, 
there  is  now  no  free  fishing  to  be  had,  in  spite  of 
the  venerable  and  ancient  law  of  the  Commonwealth 
expressed  so  quaintly,  "fishing  and  fowling  are 


STRIPED   BASS. 


149 


free  to  all  men."  There  is  often  great  difficulty  in 
obtaining  bait,  particularly  during  a  storm,  which 
is  the  time  that  it  is  most  needed,  as  the  fish  bite 
best  in  rough  weather,  and  on  going  from  the 
cities  it  is  well  to  pack  a  few  hundred  menhaden 
in  a  box  with  ice  and  sawdust,  and  thus  insure  a 
supply  for  some  days  ahead. 


VAIL'S,    NEAR  STUMP    POND,  L.    I. 


150  POINT  JUDITH. 


POINT  JUDITH. 

IT  is  a  long,  weary,  and  dusty  ride  by  the  way  of 
the  "New  Haven  and  Shore  Line  Railroads  to  Kings- 
ton ;  but  if,  at  the  end  of  the  journey,  a  pretty  little 
widow,  with  hazel  eyes,  is  found  waiting  to  drive 
over  to  the  South  Pier  in  the  stage,  and  you  are  the 
only  other  passenger,  you  will  probably  consider 
yourself  repaid  for  all  annoyances. 

It  is  seven  miles  from  Kingston  to  the  South 
Pier,  the  driver  may  happen  to  be  a  little  tight, 
very  sleepy,  and  wholly  unobservant  of  what  is 
passing  in  the  back  of  his  vehicle.  Moonlight  is 
either  reflected  with  great  brilliancy  from  hazel 
eyes,  or  else  hazel  eyes  originate  a  brilliancy  akin 
to  moonlight,  and  certainly  moonlight,  hazel  eyes, 
white  teeth,  rosy  lips,  soft  hands,  and  a  slender 
waist,  are  very  bewitching  in  a  close  carriage  of  a 
moonlight  night,  with  a  preoccupied  driver.  Some 
women  have  a  smile  like  sunshine,  and  their  laugh 
rings  like  a  chime  of  bells;  and  if  you  happen  to  be 
riding  alone  with  a  pretty  widow,  and  something 
suggests  love-making,  and  her  merry  laughter  slowly 
dies  away  into  a  gentle  smile,  and  the  smile  fades 
into  a  look  of  sympathetic  feeling,  that  you  have  to 
draw  vei*y  near  to  see,  till  you  feel  her  palpitating 
breath  upon  your  cheek,  and  her  hand  tremble! 


POINT  JUDITH.  151 

when  by  the  merest  accident  you  touch  it,  and  the 
ride  occupies  an  hour  or  more,  you  may,  before  the 
South  Pier  is  reached,  almost  forget  that  you  are 
married. 

If  this  fortune  befalls  you  at  the  station,  you  will 
probably  fail  to  notice  the  beauty  of  Kingston  vil- 
lage and  Peace  Dale  as  you  pass  through  them,  and 
will  find  the  subsequent  lonely  ride  from  South  Pier 
to  Point  Judith  dull  and  dreary.  Some  two  miles 
from  the  Pier  is  a  house  kept  by  John  Anthony,  the 
son  of  Peleg,  where  sportsmen  most  do  congregate, 
and  where  all  their  reasonable  wants,  except  the 
wherewithal  to  quench  their  thirst,  can  be  supplied, 
and  which  is  situated  within  a  few  steps  of  the  best 
fishing  stations.  John  Anthony  is  a  Yankee  born 
and  bred,  honest,  faithful,  willing,  and  acquainted 
with  all  the  habits,  devices,  and  iniquities  of  bass 
and  blue  fish.  He  will  tell  you  that  in  May,  when 
the  grass  plover  have  their  long  note,  and  are  heard 
far  up  in  the  air  travelling  northward,  bass  are  to  be 
caught  with  the  eel-skin  ;  that  in  June,  when  high 
blackberries  are  in  bloom,  they  begin  to  take  lobster 
bait ;  but  from  July  1st,  and  all  through  the  fall,  they 
take  menhaden,  otherwise  called  bony  fish  or  moss- 
bunker,  the  bait  that  the  true  and  skilful  sportsman 
loves  to  cast. 

In  July  and  August,  the  largest  fish,  occasionally 
bass  of  fifty  and  even  sixty  pounds,  rejoice  the  heart 
of  the  angler  by  surrendering  to  his  skill,  while  in 
the  Fall,  although  more  numerous,  they  are  smaller, 
In  both  these  particulars,  the  fishing  at  Point  Judith 


152  POINT  JUDITH. 

and  West  Island,  and  farther  northward,  differs 
from  that  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York.  Great  sue- 
cess,  however,  depends  upon  several  contingencies. 
It  is  supposed  that  the  Gulf  Stream,  that  prolonged 
current  of  the  Mississippi  River,  which  sweeps  with 
its  warmer  temperature  through  mid  ocean  carrying 
a  genial  atmosphere  and  fertilizing  showers  to  the 
otherwise  arid  shores  of  France  and  England, 
changes  its  course  yearly,  approaching  our  coast  and 
sending  its  swarms  of  living  creatures  among  the 
rocks  of  Narragansett  Bay,  or  withdrawing  so  as  to 
leave  us  desolate  and  to  increase  the  severity  of  our 
winters.  We  all  know  that  our  cold  seasons  differ 
greatly  in  intensity,  and  bass  fishermen  know  that 
success  in  fishing  varies  equally;  but  from  what 
cause  these  results  flow,  no  one  can  positively  say. 

After  a,  heavy  storm  has  darkened  the  water  by 
washing  impurities  from  the  shore,  and  at  spots 
where  the  dashing  breakers  fill  the  sea  with  foam, 
the  bass  bite  most  fearlessly.  Every  crested  wave 
rising  against  the  horizon  ere  it  breaks,  flashes  with 
their  sparkling  scales,  and  so  sure  as  the  bait  cast 
from  the  powerful  two-handed  rod  reaches  that 
wave,  so  sure  is  it  to  be  grasped  by  the  nearest  bass. 
The  breakers  drive  the  spearing  and  other  small  fry 
from  their  hiding-places  among  the  rocks ;  the  dis- 
colored water  blinds  them  to  their  danger,  and  bass 
trusting  themselves  in  the  very  curl  of  the  heaving 
swell  collect  in  myriads  to  the  welcome  banquet 
But  as  the  discoloration  misleads  the  spearing  so  it 
also  conceals  from  the  bass  the  line  attached  to 


POINT  JUDITH.  153 

the  treacherous  bait,  and  the  latter,  while  pursuing 
remorselessly  his  prey,  becomes  himself  a  victim. 

Neither  shrimp  nor  soft  crabs  are  used  in  this  style 
of  fishing,  and  the  earliest  bait,  the  eel-skin,  is  pre- 
pared by  stripping  the  skin  off  the  tail  of  an  eel 
from  the  vent  aft  to  the  length  of  about  a  foot,  leaving 
it  inside  out,  and  drawing  it  over  a  couple  of  hooks 
so  placed  on  the  line  that  one  shall  project  near  the 
upper  and  the  other  near  the  tail  end.  A  sinker  of 
the  size  of  one's  little  finger  is  inserted  at  the  head, 
and  the  bait  is  cast  by  hand  and  drawn  rapidly.  The 
rod  is  not  often  used  in  this  style  -of  fishing,  as  the 
heavy  bait  is  apt  to  sink  ere  it  can  be  reeled  in. 
The  skin  is  frequently  salted  to  increase  its  firmness, 
and  when  used  must  be  kept  in  continual  motion,  to 
the  great  fatigue  of  the  enthusiastic  angler. 

The  menhaden  bait  is  prepared  by  scaling  it  and 
then  cutting  a  slice  on  one  side  from  near  the  head 
to  the  base  of  the  tail,  passing  the  hook  through 
from  the  scaly  side,  and  back  through  both  edges,  so 
that  the  shank  is  enveloped  and  the  flesh  is  outwards, 
and  then  tying  the  bait  firmly  with  a  small  piece  of 
twine  that  is  attached  to  the  hook  for  that  purpose. 
A  menhaden  or  bony  fish  furnishes  two  baits,  and 
the  residue,  except  the  back  bone,  tail,  and  head,  is 
cut  up  fine,  called  chum,  and  thrown  into  the  water 
to  make  a  slick.  A  slick  is  the  oil  of  the  menhaden 
floating  over  the  waves,  and  extended  frequently  by 
tide  or  current  a  long  distance,  attracts  the  bass, 
by  suggesting  to  them  that  their  prey  is  near  at 
hand. 


154  POINT  JUDITH. 

Where  the  water  i»  clear  it  is  customary  in  rod- 
fishing,  which  is  the  only  scientific  mode,  to  use  two 
hooks ;  the  smaller,  some  two  feet  below  the  other 
is  attached  to  a  fine  line  or  gut  leader,  and  denomi- 
nated without  any  apparent  reason  the  fly-hook. 
Many  of  the  best  fishermen  never  use  more  than 
one  bait,  and  where  the  fish  are  large  and  plenty, 
one  is  sufficient.  The  fly  bait  is  not  generally  tied 
on,  but  twisted  round  the  hook  in  a  manner  difficult 
to  describe. 

Lobster  bait  is  deficient  in  tenacity,  and  has  to  be 
tied  on  like  menhaden,  and  probably  the  natural 
squid  would  be  an  effective  and  manageable  bait, 
could  it  be  provided  in  sufficient  quantities.  Limerick 
hooks,  except  those  manufactured  expressly  for  the 
purpose  with  a  round  head,  are  in  great  disfavor, 
having  a  bad  reputation  for  strength,  and  the  0'- 
Shaughnessy  forged  hook  is  usually  preferred.  With 
skill,  however,  and  plenty  of  line,  the  fisherman  is 
more  to  blame  than  the  steel,  for  the  breaking  of  the 
latter.  The  best  hook  is  now  manufactured  with  a 
round  head  and  is  fastened  to  the  line  with  two  half 
hitches,  tho  end  again  hitched  above  them  so  as  to 
take;  the  friction  ;  and  as  it  is  carried  off  by  the  first 
blue-fish,  or  in  the  Yankee  vernacular  horse  mack- 
erel, that  takes  a  fancy  to  it,  the  angler  must  be 
well  supplied. 

The  Bait,  especially  a  single  one,  is  light,  but  ex- 
perienced hands  claim  to  be  able  to  cast  it  more 
than  a  hundred  yards,  a  feat  that  the  tyro  will 
scarcely  credit ;  but  ordinarily  half  that  distance  is 


POINT  JUDITH.  155 

all  that  is  requisite.  The  line  should  not  be  less 
than  six  hundred  and  may  be  a  thousand  feet  long, 
and  if  of  flax  should  not  be  over  fifteen  strands. 
The  rod,  reel,  and  line,  must  be  of  the  very  best, 
and  the  guides  and  funnel  top  large,  or  the  angler 
will  fail  to  do  himself  justice,  and  will  probably  lose 
his  largest  fish. 

The  friction  is  so  great  in  casting,  that  the  thumb 
must  be  protected  by  a  thumb-stall  or  cot,  as  the 
natives  call  it,  or  better  yet,  one  for  each  thumb,  so 
that  you  can  cast  from  either  side,  and  snub  the  fish 
with  either  hand.  They  are  made  of  chamois 
leather,  India-rubber,  or  some  equivalent  material ; 
and  in  casting  by  hand,  a  similar  protection  is  re- 
quired for  the  forefinger.  A  shoemaker's  knife  is 
admirably  adapted  to  cutting  bait. 

If,  then,  familiar  with  these  things,  you  shall  have 
chosen  a  favorable  time  during  or  at  the  close  of  a 
south-easterly  storm,  and  at  break  of  day,  accom- 
panied by  John  Anthony,  shall  have  posted  yourself 
upon  Bog  rock,  or  the  Quohog,  which  is  New  Eng- 
land and  Indian  for  hard  clam,  or  upon  the  famous 
Scarborough,  that  great  station  in  a  heavy  north- 
easter, you  may  anticipate  brave  sport.  The 
waves  will  come  rolling  in,  streaming  out  in  the 
wind  like  a  courser's  mane,  with  snowy  crest,  and 
breaking  with  thundering  roar  they  will  sink  back 
seething  with  foam.  As  the  tide  rises  a  few  drops 
will  fall  pattering  upon  your  feet ;  shortly  the  wavea 
will  leap  up  to  your  knees,  then  plunge  into  your 
pockets,  reach  to  your  waist,  pour  down  your  neck 


156  POINT  JUDITH 

and  if  you  are  not  on  the  watch  will  lift  you  in  their 
embrace  and  fling  you  torn  and  wounded  down 
among  the  sharp-pointed  rocks.  You  must  wear 
water-proof  clothes,  and  while  you  keep  your  eye 
on  the  line  you  must  not  neglect  the  inrolling  swell, 
but  avoid  or  brace  yourself  to  meet  its  shock.  And 
when  the  bass  seizes  your  bait,  and  you  have  fixed 
the  hook  by  one  sharp  blow,  you  must  be  gentle 
and  moderate,  only  using  severe  measures  where 
they  are  absolutely  necessary.  If  the  blue-fish 
comes,  and  he  does  not  carry  away  your  hook  at  the 
first  snatch,  reel  him  in  as  quickly  as  his  indomitable 
pluck  and  vigor  will  permit.  He  is  not  game  when 
you  are  bass-fishing.  If  the  ungainly  flounder,  ex- 
hibiting unexpected  activity,  shall  chase  and  grasp 
your  bait,  lug  him  out  by  main  force,  treating  him, 
though  excellent  to  eat,like  the  vulgar  commoner  he  is. 
When  the  day  is  advanced,  and  the  game  has 
grown  wrary,  you  may  rest ;  and  looking  out  to  sea, 
perchance  behold  the  blue-fish  chase  the  menhaden 
and  the  porpoise  devour  the  blue-fish,  and  the 
thresher  shark  plough  his  way  through  schools  of 
lesser  creatures,  killing  with  blows  of  his  powerful 
tail,  and  then  devouring  his  prey  at  his  leisure. 
You  may  listen  to  the  "  wild  waves  singing,"  and 
watch  the  continual  change  of  the  sky  and  water, 
enjoying  the  refreshing  breeze  and  pure  air,  or 
amuse  yourself  by  throwing  in  the  head  of  a  men- 
haden, and  noting  how  quickly  the  bass  that  refuse 
your  baft,  will  strike  with  a  great  whirl  at  the  float- 
ing object. 


POINT  JUDITH.  157 

Two  fishermen  engaged  with  their  sport  were 
once  standing  upon  a  rock  together,  when  one  struck 
a  very  large  fish  supposed  to  weigh  over  seventy 
pounds.  The  sea  was  high  and  wild,  and  made  it 
difficult  to  gaff  the  fish,  after  a  wearying  struggle 
had  reduced  him  to  submission.  A  favorable  oppor- 
tunity waj  watched  when  three  heavy  rollers  had 
passed,  covering  the  rock  with  spray,  and  the  other 
fisherman  darted  to  the  edge  of  the  surf  to  make 
the  attempt.  Unfortunately  the  bass,  not  being 
quite  exhausted,  made  a  short  run  that  delayed  the 
operation,  till  a  gigantic  wave,  rolling  in  unheeded, 
caught  the  preoccupied  fishermen  unawares,  engulfed 
them  in  its  green  waters,  flung  one  down  bruised 
and  sore,  and  carried  off  the  other  who  held  the 
gaff,  and  was  nearer  the  brink,  into  the  deep  water 
beyond.  Poor  fellow,  he  could  not  swim,  and  the 
terror  of  approaching  death  passed  across  his  fea- 
tures as  he  looked  up  beseechingly  and  tried  to 
cling  to  the  steep  and  slippery  rocks.  The  waves 
tossed  him  about  like  a  plaything,  bringing  him 
close  to  the  rocks,  dragging  him  away,  and  then  • 
cruelly  hurling  him  against  them.  His  friend  was 
powerless  to  save  him ;  but  having  a  stout  line,  and 
the  fish  now  floating  exhausted  upon  the  surface, 
shouted  to  tho  drowning  man  to  catch  the  line  and 
support  himself  by  it.  This  was  accomplished,  and 
amid  the  dashing  surf,  alone  with  the  shadow  of 
death  upon  the  water,  the  skilful  fisherman,  work- 
ing his  way  carefully  among  the  rocks,  giving  to  the 
strain  of  the  surging  sea,  but  gaining  every  inch  of 


158  POINT  JUDITH. 

line  the  strength  of  his  tackle  would  permit,  led  the 
man  and  the  fish,  floating  side  by  side,  into  a  cove 
that  was  in  a  measure  sheltered  from  the  fury  of  the 
waves. 

Slowly  the  line  came  in  ;  the  man  lived,  and  still 
c-lung  to  it,  and  although  occasionally  submerged, 
managed  to  sustain  himself  sufficiently.  Nearer  and 
nearer  he  came,  quite  close  even  to  the  shelving 
rocks,  and  twice  during  a  lull  could  have  climbed 
them  in  safety,  had  not  his  strength  been  too  greatly 
exhausted.  He  made  a  feeble  effort,  still  clinging, 
however,  to  the  line,  but  was  carried  back  by  the 
receding  current,  and  it  became  apparent  his  life 
depended  upon  his  friend's  ability  to  help  him. 

This  was  no  easy  matter  ;  the  strain  upon  the  line 
was  excessive,  the  rocks  were  wet  and  slippery,  and 
the  sea  frequently  swept  across  with  resistless  force. 
Shortening  the  line  as  much  as  possible,  the  friend 
crept  down  towards  the  edge,  and  taking  advantage 
of  the  first  lull,  called  to  the  drowning  man  to  cling 
fast  with  his  hands  for  a  moment,  and  rushed  down 
to  seize  him.  The  instant,  however,  the  line  was 
relaxed,  the  water  carried  away  its  feeble  victim, 
who  was  quickly  beyond  reach.  Ere  he  could  be 
brought  back  a  tremendous  wave,  resolute  to  devour 
its  prey,  came  thundering  in ;  it  rose  above  points 
that  had  projected  many  feet  out  of  water,  it  dashed 
in  flying  spray  high  up  upon  those  that  it  could  not 
overwhelm,  its  crest  gleamed  and  hissed,  and  with 
one  mad  leap  it  sprang  over  the  intervening  ledges 
and  threw  itself  upon  the  fishermen  with  fearful 


POIKT  JUDITH.  159 

power.  The  one  upon  the  rocks  was  beaten  down, 
and  only  by  falling  in  a  crevice  and  holding  fast 
with  all  his  strength  was  saved  from  being  carried 
off.  When  the  wave  passed  he  struggled  to  his 
feet  and  looked  down  into  the  deep  water  for  his 
friend.  The  line  was  broken,  and  man  and  fish 
were  swept  away  together. 

Danger  never  deterred  a  sportsman,  but  rather 
seems  to  enhance  his  enjoyment ;  and  there  is  just 
sufficient  risk  and  enough  cold  water  to  make  fishing 
from  the  rocks  a  pleasurable  excitement.  The 
fiercer  the  storm  and  the  wilder  the  water  the  bet- 
ter the  fishing,  and  the  peril  is  more  than  counter- 
balanced by  the  sport.  Occasionally,  at  these  times, 
a  fisherman  will  be  lost,  but  more  frequently  he  will 
capture  the  gigantic  fish  that  has  been  the  ambition 
of  his  life ;  and  if  he  does  perish  it  is  in  a  good 
cause,  and  he  has  the  sympathies  of  all  his  ardent 
brothers  of  the  angle. 

Bass,  like  other  fish,  do  not  feed  in  a  thunder 
shower,  but  during  the  latter  part  of  a  north-easterly 
or  south-easterly  storm,  and  immediately  after  when 
the  wind  has  hauled  to  the  westward  and  mado 
casting  easier,  they  are  taken  in  the  greatest  quan 
tities.  In  fact  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  fish  for 
them  at  any  other  time. 

At  Point  Judith  there  are  some  bay  snipe  and 
plover  after  the  fifteenth  of  August,  and  the  quail 
shooting  which  begins  on  the  twentieth  of  Octo- 
ber is  quite  good.  Blue-fish  or  horse-mackerel  are 
not  pursued  for  sport,  but  rather  pursue  the  angler, 


160  POINT  JUDITH. 

taking  off  his  hooks  and  cutting  his  line  with  their 
sharp  teeth  most  unmercifully.  In  fact  a  story  is 
told  of  one  that  deliberately  bit  through  the  line 
above  a  large  bass  that  had  been  hooked,  and  appa- 
rently released  him  designedly,  from  fishy  friendship. 

That  excellent  but  neglected  fish  the  porgee, 
which  the  inhabitants  call  a  scup,  is  plentiful,  and 
also  the  tautog  or  black  fish .;  and  the  bergall,  which 
they  denominate  chogset  or  cunner,  a  worthless 
fish,  is  so  abundant  as  to  try  the  fisherman's  temper 
by  continually  devouring  his  baits. 

When  the  sea  has  subsided  and  the  fishing  is  over, 
and  you  have  as  many  fish  as  you  want  nicely 
packed  in  ice,  you  will  have  to  drive  over  to  the 
depot  behind  the  laziest  horse,  unless  Anthony 
buys  a  new  one,  that  it  was  ever  your  misfortune 
to  ride  after.  The  boyish  driver,  however,  enter- 
prising like  his  father,  will  poke  and  whip  and  utter 
that  peculiar  word  comprehensible  only  to  horse- 
flesh, "  tschk,''  and  if  the  animal  does  not  absolutely 
lie  down  in  the  ditch  you  will  make  the  seven  miles 
in  about  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  be  thankful  that 
you  have  done  so  well ;  having  reached  home,  what 
stones  you  will  tell  of  the  large  fish  you  captured 
and  enormous  ones  you  lost,  of  the  dangers  you  ran 
and  how  beautifully  you  cast,  and  your  friends  that 
receive  of  the  game  will  believe  in  you. 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  161 


THE  SOUTH  BAT. 

ONE  cloudless  day  in  the  fervid  month  of  July,  a 
handsome,  bright-eyed  youth  of  something  over 
twenty  summers,  opened  the  gate  of  the  little  yard 
in  front  of  Deacon  Goodlow's  house  and  strode  with 
an  elastic  step  towards  the  side  door.  He  was  evi- 
dently at  home  and  felt  no  need  of  ceremony,  for 
without  pausing  to  knock  he  turned  the  knob  and 
entered. 

The  deacon's  house  was  one  of  those  innumerable 
romantic  little  white  cottages  with  wings  added  after 
the  main  structure,  that  dot  the  flat  surface  of  Long 
Island,  or  Mattowacs,  as  the  poetical  Indians  once 
elegantly  named  the  wonderful  sand-bar;  it  was 
hidden  in  trees  and  almost  covered  with  vines,  and 
had  an  air  of  superiority  and  taste  somewhat  un- 
usual. 

"Well,  Katy,"  said  Harry,  addressing  a  sprightly, 
rosy-cheeked  maiden  that  he  encountered  inside, 
busy  at  some  pottering  woman's  work  ;  "  what  do 
you  think,  now  ?  Your  father  and  mine  are  going 
fishing  to-day.  I  left  them  talking  it  over,  and 
arranging  that  they  were  to  drive  over  in  your 
father's  buggy,  as  our  solitary  horse  is  needed  for 
other  purpose." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,  Harry ;  Mr.  Hartley  takes  too 


162  THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

little  recreation,  and  father  does  so  like  a  day  on  the 
Bay.  He  was  speaking  about  it  only  yesterday." 

"  But  how  odd  that  they  should  go  alone ;  I 
wonder  why  your  father  does  not  take  you,  you  like 
the  Bay  almost  as  well  as  he  does." 

"  Pretty  nearly,"  she  replied  with  a  laugh ;  "  I 
love  the  breeze  and  the  water,  especially  when  we 
run  outside  and  plunge  into  the  monstrous  waves  of 
the  ocean.  It  seems  so  fresh,  and  limitless,  and 
powerful." 

"  Yes,  and  you  like  to  pull  out  the  blue-fish ;  it  is 
not  all  poetry,  for  to  tell  the  truth,  I  have  always 
felt  convinced  from  your  way  of  looking  at  them, 
that  every  time  you  caught  a  fish  you  thought  of 
the  pot  and  fancied  how  nice  he  would  be  on  table." 

"  Take  care,  sir,  or  the  next  time  we  go  I  will 
leave  you  to  your  own  devices  in  the  way  of  cook- 
ing. Do  you  remember  when  I  found  you  trying 
to  cook  a  big  blue-fish  on  a  long  stick,  over  a  huge 
hot  fire,  without  any  salt  or  butter?" 

"  But  the  old  folks  will  be  sure  to  fall  out  over 
politics  or  polemics,  and  come  home  in  a  dudgeon, 
as  they  have  been  near  doing  before  this,  your 
father  is  so  fiery;  I  hope,  for  my  future  peace,  his 
daughter  does  not  take  after  him." 

"  Now,  Harry ! "  accompanied  with  a  deep  blush, 
was  all  the  answer,  and  Katy  was  turning  away, 
knowing  instinctively  how  to  punish  her  saucy  lover, 
when  Harry  hastily  continued  : 

"  I  think  I  have  prevented  that,  however." 

"Have  you?    How?" 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  163 

"I  suggested  something  else  for  them  to  talk 
about,  that  will  occupy  their  thoughts  most  of  the 
time." 

With  a  shy,  sidelong  glance,  like  a  bird  alarmed 
but  uncertain  of  the  danger,  Katy  replied  : 

"And  what  subject  was  that,  pray  ?" 

"  Our  love,  Katy." 

"A  very  silly  subject,  that  need  occupy  nobody 
any  time  at  all.  You  had  better  say  your  love, 
sir." 

"  No\v,  darling,  don't  tease,  I  have  only  a  moment, 
or  I  shall  be  too  late  for  the  cars." 

"  Then,  why  not  go  at  once  ?  I  am  full  as  busy. 
Was  not  that  Jane  calling  me  ?  "  She  made  a  great 
show  of  leaving,  but  managed  to  remain,  evidently 
anticipating  something  of  importance  from  her 
lover's  manner,  and  in  a  female  way  dreading 
though  desiring  the  disclosure. 

"  Wait  one  instant ;  I  need  not  repeat  how  I  love 
you,  you  have  heard  that  often." 

«  Yes,  indeed." 

"  But  to-day  I  am  to  be  admitted  to  a  partnership 
with  my  old  employer,  who  kindly  offered  it,  with 
some  complimentary  remarks,  so  late  as  yesterday." 

"  You  deserved  it  long  ago." 

"  Not  at  all,  I  was  well  paid  for  my  services  ;  but 
now" — having  drawn  the  willing  but  skittish  beauty 
towards  him,  he  whispered — "now  I  can  keep  a 
wife." 

Her  lips  were  close,  her  cheeks  were  tempting, 
her  eyes  turned  away,  her  hands  busy  with  the  but- 


THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

tons  of  his  coat,  it  is  not  certain  he  took  advantage 
of  these  opportunities ;  but  suddenly  starting  into 
life,  she  gave  him  a  gentle  tap  on  the  ear,  pulled 
away,  and  turning  to  hide  her  blushes,  called  out,  as 
she  darted  from  the  room  : 

"  You  must  catch  her  first,  and  the  train  starts  in 
twenty  minutes." 

"  So  it  does,"  he  muttered,  as  the  delighted  look 
of  admiration  with  which  he  had  regarded  her 
faded  slowly  from  his  eyes;  "  what  a  darling  witch, 
it  is  so  full  of  fun,  and  yet,  as  the  neighboring  poor 
can  testify,  so  gentle,  generous,  and  sympathetic." 
A  thousand  thoughts  of  all  the  loving  acts  he  would 
do  for  her  came  into  his  mind  as  he  hastened  towards 
the  depot. 

"  Well,  friend,"  said  Mr.  Hartley,  as  the  two 
deacons  were  journeying  along  at  a  sober  gait  in 
the  old-fashioned  but  comfortable  buggy  of  the 
wealthier,  "  what  a  beautiful  day  it  is,  not  merely 
for  our  sport,  and  it  could  hardly  be  better,  but  to 
admire  the  beauties  of  nature!  The  summer  foliage 
looks  truly  gorgeous  in  the  broad  sunshine." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  and  the  influence  of  such  a  day 
must  be  felt  by  the  moral  nature  of  man.  Even  upon 
man  debased  by  vice,  I  believe  in  the  country  as  a 
moral  purifier,  and  think  a  system  should  be  devised 
by  which  criminals  would  be  thrown  in  contact  with 
it  as  much  as  possible." 

"  I  agree  with  you  fully,  and  had  an  evidence  this 
morning  how  it  opens  the  heart  and  emboldens  the 
affections.  You  know  Harry  has  long  been  atten- 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  165 

tive  to  your  daughter  Katy,  and  I  believe  they  have 
had  a  sort  of  half  understanding." 

"  A  fine  fellow  is  Harry ;  true,  honorable,  and 
energetic,"  said  Mr.  Goodlow,  heartily. 

"  He  is  so,  and  I,  as  his  father,  am  proud  to  admit 
it ;  but  Katy  is  a  noble  girl,  and  worthy  of  the  finest 
fellow  in  tho  world." 

"  Well,  we  start  the  subject  with  a  hearty 
accord,"  replied  the  friend,  smiling  ;  "  I  can  readily 
imagine  what  will  follow,  and  have  no  doubt  we  will 
be  equally  of  accord  on  that." 

"  The  short  of  it  is,  Harry  has  just  been  placed  in 
a  position  that  authorizes  him  to  marry,  and  he 
wants  you  to  trust  Katy  to  him.  On  the  subject  of 
support  he  was  satisfactory,  and  on  that  of  love  en- 
thusiastic. He  hoped  your  favorite  minister  would 
perform  the  ceremony." 

This  last  remark  was  uttered  very  slowly,  for  it 
must  be  known  the  two  deacons  belonged  to  rival 
churches  and  different  persuasions,  and  had  had 
many  a  contest  over  form  and  ritual. 

"  That  is  a  matter  of  small  moment,"  was  the 
response,  "  but  if  any  form  should  be  simple  it  is  the 
marriage  ceremony.  I  really  think  it  had  better  be 
performed  in  your  church,  where  there  is  less  regard 
for  formality." 

"And  for  that  reason  I  coincided  in  my  son's, 
selection  ;  our  church  teaches  us  that  while  we  are  not 
to  insist  upon  forms  as  the  essence  of  religion  in  any 
of  its  departments,  we  are  not  to  indulge  prejudice 
against  them.  That  they  are  immaterial  either  way." 


166  THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

"A  strange  view,  indeed,"  responded  the  oppos« 
ing  deacon,  warming  to  the  question ;  "  strange  that 
any  one  could  conceive  that  the  form  in  which  he 
expressed  his  adoration  was  unimportant ;  in  all  re- 
ligion, prayer  takes  the  form  of  the  bowed  head  and 
bended  knee.  Unseemly  postures  and  acts  are 
themselves  irreverent,  not  to  advert  to  the  effect 
they  must  produce  upon  the  mind  that  indulges  in 
them  on  serious  occasions.  We  owe  to  our  fellow- 
men  respectful  deportment  on  solemn  occasions,  how 
much  more  so  to  our  Creator.  Form  is  the  embodi- 
ment of  the  spirit  of  true  worship,  and  partakes  of 
its  essence  and  beauty." 

"  We  fear,"  responded  his  associate,  "  that  form, 
from  its  very  beauty,  may  distract  the  heart  and 
engross  the  attention  to  the  neglect  of  the  essentials 
of  devotion.  Pleasing  forms  are  beautiful  to  our 
senses,  but  God  looks  to  the  pure  heart  and  humble 
mind ;  the  formalities  of  religion  too  often  hide  an 
aching  void  of  real  principle,  and  while  they  quiet 
the  conscience  produce  no  good  fruit  in  the  soul. 
Therefore,  we  dread  them,  lest  though  the  sepulchre 
be  whited  on  the  outside  it  hide  rottenness  within." 

They  were  both  intelligent  men,  devoted  to  their 
sects,  which  although  in  belief  almost  identical,  in 
forms  were  dissimilar ;  and  they  enforced  and  illus- 
trated their  views  with  great  vigor,  learning,  and 
eloquence,  and  with  the  ordinary  effect  of  religious 
discussions,  that  each  was  finally  more  firmly  con- 
vinced that  he  was  in  the  right.  The  hopes  of  their 
children  were  forgotten  for  the  time,  an  occasional 


THE  SOUTH   BAY.  167 

sharp  innuendo  added  spice  if  not  acerbity  to  the 
argument,  and  before  their  destination  was  reached 
a  feeling  of  coldness,  approaching  dissatisfaction, 
had  sprung  up  between  the  two  friends. 

There  were  no  blue-fish  running,  and  it  was  deter- 
mined to  try  the  striped  bass  that,  although  small, 
had  begun  to  be  plentiful,  and  in  case  of  their 
absence  to  tempt  the  flounders,  sea  bass,  black  fish, 
or  other  like  plebeians.  In  silence  they  pulled  off  to 
the  fishing  ground,  and  silently  they  cast  overboard 
the  anchor-stone  and  baited  their  hooks.  Fishing 
has  a  calm,  soothing  influence  incompatible  with 
anger  or  estrangement.  Occasional  remarks  were 
made  which  would  doubtless  have  soon  led  to  a  per- 
fect reconciliation  had  not  the  Fates  prominently  in- 
terfered. Mr.  Hartley,  who  rowed  the  boat,  had 
stationed  himself  in  the  bow,  and  strange  to  say 
began  to  take  fish  as  fast  as  he  could  land  them, 
while  Mr.  Goodlow,  in  the  stern,  usually  the  favorite 
location,  caught  nothing. 

Fishing  is  a  contemplative  amusement,  but  when 
one  contemplates  his  associate  catching  all  the  fish 
the  amusement  vanishes.  Deacon  Goodlow  was  a 
devotee  of  the  gentle  art,  fancied  himself  an  expert, 
and  never  doubted  his  far  excelling  his  less  expe- 
rienced brother ;  had  great  faith  in  skill  as  opposed 
to  luck,  having  often  expatiated  upon  the  fact  that 
he  rarely  found  an  equal,  and  felt  fully  convinced 
that  in  skill  he  was  not  excelled. 

Now  skill  is  a  very  necessary  thing  and  will  tell 
in  the  long  run,  but  luck  is  sometimes,  doubtless  for 


168  THE   SOUTH  BAY. 

a  wise  purpose,  permitted  to  triumph  over  it.  In 
vain  did  the  unfortunate  deacon  renew  his  baits, 
change  the  depth  of  his  sinker,  fish  on  the  bottom  or 
near  the  top ;  the  result  was  the  same.  His  irritation 
increased  and  broke  forth  into  ejaculations  of  impa- 
tience, and  a  sadden  desire  to  move  to  some  other 
spot. 

"There  seem  to  be  no  fish  here,  we  had  better 
try  a  new  place,"  he  said  pettishly. 

"  I  am  doing  very  well,  and  doubt  whether  we 
could  better  ourselves,"  replied  his  associate  with 
that  hilarity  that  success  engenders,  landing  two 
bright  little  bass  at  once. 

"  You  do  not  call  that  good  fishing,  they  are  mere 
sprats.  I  have  taken  many  a  bass  of  twenty-four 
pounds,  and  two  of  over  fifty." 

"  But  you  know  the  run  is  always  small  in  this 
month." 

"  Of  course  I  know  that ;  but  I  never  saw  such 
luck,  you  must  have  taken  twenty,  such  as  they 
are." 

"  More  than  twenty,  thirty  at  least ;  but  perhaps 
we  had  better  change  places,  I  have  taken  more 
than  I  want  and  you  had  better  try  your  hand." 

After  some  demur  and  a  coquettish  but  half  sulky 
refusal  to  deprive  him  of  his  "  good  luck,"  Mr. 
Goodlow  complied  with  his  friend's  suggestion,  but 
wonderful  to  say  the  luck  changed  at  the  same  time ; 
the  fish  all  fled  to  the  stern  of  the  boat  and  were 
landed  there  faster  than  they  had  been  previously 
over  the  bow.  In  fact,  one  line  seemed  to  be 


THE   SOUTH  BAY.  169 

bewitched  as  though  the  fish  were  in  a  piscatorial 
conspiracy.  Even  when  the  unfortunate  fisherman  ex- 
tended his  line  and  allowed  his  float  to  swing  round 
beyond  the  stern  and  even  alongside  of  his  compa- 
nion's, that  of  the  latter  would  be  dragged  under  at 
every  moment,  while  his  would  remain  undisturbed. 

"Well,  I  have  seen  luck  before,"  he  began, 
fiercely,  "  but  never  such  luck  as  this  ;  how  deep  are 
you  fishing  ?  " 

This  question,  as  betraying  the  possibility  of  infe- 
rior judgment,  fairly  stuck  in  his  throat. 

"About  three  feet." 

"  Mine  is  the  same.  No,  it  is  mere  luck,  that  is 
all."  Anger  was  making  his  language  slightly  un- 
grammatical. 

Mr.  Hartley  replied,  as  he  landed  another  brace  : 
"Of  course  it  is,  and  now  let's  change  seats  again 
and  see  if  we  cannot  outwit  the  fish." 

Being  patronized  by  an  inferior  fisherman  is 
almost  unbearable,  it  implies  triumph  with  nothing 
to  justify  it;  and  an  assumption  of  superiority  will 
be  suspected  if  not  intended.  So  Mr.  Goodlow  held 
out  for  a  time,  saying  slightingly:  "Oh,  it  \vas  a 
mere  question  of  luck,  mere  luck  that  must  soon 
change;"  but  as  it  did  not,  and  as  his  friend's  man- 
ner was  soothing  and  even  submissive,  he  at  last 
consented,  with  the  air  of  conferring  a  favor,  to  re- 
sume his  old  place  in  the  stern. 

At  the  first  cast  which  Mr.  Hartley  made  after 
returning  to  his  seat  at  the  bow,  he  hooked  and 
landed  the  largest  fish  yet  seen.  This  was  too  much, 
8 


170  THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

and  if  people  swear  inwardly  it  is  greatly  to  be 
feared  the  unfortunate  deacon  will  have  to  report 
hereafter  one  of  the  commandments  broken  on  that 
occasion. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  "  we  will  go  home ;  another 
time  perhaps  I  can  have  a  little  luck.  I  used  to 
think  there  was  something  like  skill  in  fishing,  but 
there  does  not  appear  to  be  in  catching  these  misera- 
ble little  fish." 

"  Why,  my  last  one  must  have  weighed  two 
pounds." 

"Two  pounds!  Not  an  ounce  over  one.  I  have 
had  enough  for  this  day,  and  the  sun  is  remarkably 
hot." 

"  Oh,  I  cannot  go  just  yet ;  here  comes  another, 
nearly  as  large  as  the  last," 

"I  insist  upon  it,"  Mr,  Goodlow  continued,  having 
reeled  up  his  line  and  taken  apart  his  rod.  "  I  will 
not  stay  longer,  my  horse  must  be  fed,  and  it  is 
late." 

"  When  a  person  conies  out  fishing,"  replied  Dea- 
con Hartley,  growing  irritated,  "  it  is  a  poor  way  to 
be  wanting  to  go  home  because  another  catches  the 
fish,  especially  as  I  am  perfectly  willing  to  divide 
equally." 

"  What  do  you  think  I  care  for  those  puny  little 
fish  ?  You  may  keep  them  all,  in  welcome." 

"  I  suppose  I  may  if  I  wish ;  they  are  mine  be- 
cause I  have  caught  them,  or  nearly  all ;  but  I  will 
give  you  half  if  you  will  cease  grumbling  at  what 
you  call  your  luck." 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  171 

"  Well,  what  is  it  if  not  luck !  Perhaps  you  think 
you  surpass  me  in  skill  and  experience,"  answered 
the  other  sneeringly.  "I  tell  you  I  am  going  home. 
It  is  my  horse,  and  you  may  come  or  stay,  as  you 
choose." 

With  that  he  seized  the  oars  and  shipping  them 
into  the  nearest  rowlocks,  commenced  furiously 
rowing  the  boat  stern  first.  But  the  anchor-stone 
was  down,  and  although  he  dragged  it  a  few  inches, 
he  did  so  slowly  and  with  great  labor.  Mr.  Hartley 
went  on  deliberately  fishing,  but  of  course  could 
catch  nothing  while  the  water  was  being  disturbed. 

"  Pull  up  the  anchor-stone,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Goodlow 
fiercely,  the  perspiration  streaming  down  his  face. 

"  I  will  do  nothing  of  the  kind,"  responded  Mr. 
Hartley. 

The  tugging  at  the  oars  was  resumed,  but  when 
Mr.  Goodlow  was  nearly  exhausted,  whether  by 
accident  or  not  will  probably  never  be  known,  the 
oar  slipped  along  the  surface  throwing  a  shower  of 
water  over  the  quondam  friend,  fairly  taking  away 
his  breath.  Without  a  word  the  latter  dropped  his 
rod,  and  seizing  the  bailing  scoop,  a  sort  of  wooden 
shovel  with  a  short  handle,  dipped  it  full  of  water 
and  threw  the  contents  in  his  companion's  face  ;  the 
latter  replied  with  a  fresh  douche  from  the  oar. 

The  water  fairly  flew  in  mimic  cataracts  for  ten 
minutes,  till  both  parties  were  wet  to  the  skin  ;  ori- 
ginally, scoop  had  the  best  of  it,  but  as  skin  and 
clothes  will  not  take  wetting  beyond  a  certain  de- 
gree, oars  caught  up,  and  the  two  irate  lights  of  the 


172  THE   SOUTH  BAY. 

church  were  as  well  drenched  as  if  they  had  fallen 
overboard.  Mutual  exhaustion  produced  a  cessation 
of  hostilities,  and  after  a  moment's  pause,  Deacon 
Hartley  slowly  drew  up  the  anchor-stone,  and  Dea- 
con Goodlow  rowed  silently  to  shore.  Without  a 
word,  without  a  glance,  the  latter  stepped  to  bis 
buggy,  untied  the  horse,  jumped  in  and  rode  off. 

Mr.  Hartley  had  to  secure  the  boat,  collect  his 
fish,  injoint  his  rod,  and  walk  four  miles  home.  The 
day  was  hot,  the  road  was  dusty,  the  fish  were 
heavy,  and  tired  enough  he  would  have  been,  if  an 
acquaintance  passing  in  a  wagon  had  not  taken  him 
up.  The  dust  having  covered  him  from  head  to 
foot  helped  disguise  what  had  happened,  and  he 
allowed  the  gentleman  to  think  he  had  slipped  into 
the  water. 

The  thoughts  of  the  two  deacons  on  the  way 
home  were  not  enviable.  One  had  to  meet  a  son,  the 
other  a  daughter,  and  the  latter  dreaded  the  inter- 
view most ;  not  that  he  admitted  he  was  most  to 
blame,  but  fearing  more  her  sharp  eyes  and  re- 
proachful countenance. 

"  Oh,  Harry,"  said  the  pretty  little  girl  usually  so 
gay,  now  with  sad-looking  tearworn  eyes,  as  she 
encountered  her  astonished  lover  on  his  way  home 
from  the  railroad,  "  your  father  and  mine  quarrelled 
dreadfully  to-day,  so  much  so  that  they  would  not 
ride  home  together." 

"  Just  as  I  expected,"  replied  Harry,  triumphant- 
ly;  "your  father  is  so  easily  excited." 

<cN"o,  but  he  says  it  was  your  father's  fault,  at 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  173 

least  he  does  not  say  so  directly,  but  what  he  does 
say  gives  me  that  impression.  Just  think,  your 
father  threw  water  over  mine,  and  he  was  all  mud 
and  dirt  when  he  reached  home." 

"  Impossible,"  said  Harry,  with  a  laugh,  "  he  must 
have  fallen  overboard." 

"  Oh,  no,  and  your  father  would  not  ride  home 
with  him." 

"How  did  he  get  home  then  ?  he  certainly  would 
not  have  walked  by  preference  four  miles,  on  so  hot 
a  day  as  this.  Imagine  his  half  killing  himself  to 
deprive  a  person  of  his  company  who  wished  to  be 
rid  of  him." 

"  Oh,  it  must  be ;  father  was  so  angry,  he  told  me 
I  should  not  seo  you  again." 

This  response  was  illogical,  and  went  far  to  dis- 
prove itself,  but  was  enforced  by  her  bursting  into 
tears.  "I  have  been  crying  ever  since," she  sobbed. 

Harry  consoled  her,  sure  of  her  affection ;  and 
knowing  that  parents  are  a  slight  affair  against 
affection,  he  brought  back  smiles  to  her  lips  by  his 
comments  on  her  account  of  her  father's  statement, 
and  promised  her  it  would  come  right  if  she  only 
kept  on  obeying  as  scrupulously  as  she  was  then 
doing.  She  punished  him  for  this  by  flying  away 
in  her  former  merry  manner,  leaving  him  to  seek 
an  explanation  at  home. 

"Father,"  he  said,  on  arriving  there  and  seekin'g 
him  out,  "how  spruce  you  look ;  that  is  your  best 
suit.  Are  you  going  to  pay  a  visit  ?  " 

"I  believe  not,  this  evening;  ray  other  clothes 


174  THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

were  soiled  while  we  were  fishing."  Strictly  true, 
but  not  all  the  truth. 

"  The  deacon  across  the  way  came  home  rather 
muddy,  they  say.  What  luck  did  you  have  ?  Did 
it  rain  while  you  were  out  ?  There  was  not  a  cloud 
to  be  seen  in  New  York." 

The  father  felt  it  would  be  useless  to  evade  the 
question,  and  related  the  whole  story,  bearing  kind- 
ly the  good-natured  comments  of  his  son,  between 
whom  and  himself  there  was  a  feeling  of  friendship 
as  well  as  of  affection. 

"  And  now,  father,"  Harry  began,  after  the  recital 
was  over,  "  and  now  how  are  you  going  to  make  up  ? 
You  will  have  to  make  the  first  step,  because  you 
were  not  in  the  wrong." 

"  Or,  more  truly,  because  my  son  loves  the 
daughter  of  the  person  who  has  ill-used  me.  Are 
you  not  angry  at  my  being  left  to  walk  home  this 
hot  day  ?  " 

"  I  should  be,  if  that  wagon  had  not  come  along ; 
everything  depends  on  that  wagon.  You  know  it 
was  much  pleasanter  than  riding  with  an  angry 
man." 

"  But  then  the  dust ;  my  clothes  are  ruined ;  a 
new  suit  will  diminish  your  patrimony,  which  is  not 
enormous." 

"  Then  I'll  make  you  a  present  of  a  splendid  suit 
6f  black  on  my  wedding  day.  I  am  rich,  at  least  in 
expectation,  being  a  partner  and  no  longer  a  clerk." 

"  To  tell  the  truth,"  continued  the  father,  drop- 
ping the  tone  of  badinage,  "  I  did  feel  ashamed  of 


THE  SOUTH   BAY.  175 

myself,  and  was  arranging  a  little  plan  of  reconcilia- 
tion, when  our  servant  girl  brought  word  that  Mr. 
Goodlow  had  forbidden  her  drawing  water  from  the 
well." 

Harry  looked  at  his  father  with  a  surprised, 
troubled,  and  slightly  angry  look.  The  well  was  on 
Mr.  Goodlow's  land,  but  had  been  used  from  time 
immemorial  by  both  families,  as  there  was  none  other 
near.  He  began  to  think  the  matter  was  more  seri- 
ous than  he  had  at  first  supposed. 

"I  felt  this  to  be  unchristian,"  continued  his 
father,  "  and  could  not  bring-  myself  to  make  the 
first  advance  after  it." 

"I  can  hardly  believe  the  story,  and  will  cross- 
question  the  girl,"  replied  Harry. 

It  turned  out  to  be  true,  however ;  the  girl  had 
been  going  to  the  well,  as  Deacon  Goodlow  descend- 
ed, "  all  mud,"  as  she  described  it,  from  his  buggy, 
and  he  seeing  her  at  first  seemed  inclined  to  avoid  a 
meeting,  but  suddenly  changing  his  mind  told  her 
angrily  never  to  come  there  for  water  again.  With 
all  due  allowance  for  kitchen  exaggeration,  the  fact 
could  scarcely  be  disputed,  and  Harry  suddenly 
burst  forth : 

"  We  will  dig  a  well  of  our  own  ;  I  have  always 
hated  dependence  for  anything,  even  on  her  father, 
and  then  we'll  see — " 

What  they  would  see  was  not  very  clear,  except 
that  they  would  see  the  well  built,  for  Harry,  with 
his  usual  impetuosity,  at  once  set  about  making  the 
necessary  arrangements,  his  new  position  enabling 


176  THE   SOUTH  BAY. 

him  to  supply  the  requisite  means.  He  engaged  the 
men  and  selected  the  spot  that  very  evening. 

Next  day  the  well  was  commenced  and  advanced 
rapidly  towards  completion,  the  water  for  family  use 
being  carted. in  the  mean  time  from  a  distance  in 
barrels.  What  the  deacon  over  the  way  must  have 
thought  when  he  saw  the  excavation  progressing 
and  the  water  cart  regularly  every  morning  passing 
in  front  of  his  door,  no  one  knows ;  for  not  a  word 
did  fie  say.  He  could  not  have  had  an  easy  conscience 
nor  a  pleasant  time,  however,  for  Harry  had  not  put 
his  foot  on  the  premises,  and  consequently  Katy's 
eyes  were  almost  as  full  of  water  as  the  barrel. 

It  was  a  long  way  down  to  the  region  of  water, 
and  if  truth,  as  is  generally  believed,  lies  so  deep, 
there  is  no  wonder  it  is  rarely  reached ;  but  the 
effort  was  at  length  successful,  and  when  the  liquid 
vein  was  struck  the  crystal  fluid  proved  plentiful, 
half  filling  the  deep  well. 

The  water  carts  ceased  their  journey,  the  work- 
men were  discharged,  Deacon  Hartley  had  a  well  of 
his  own,  Harry  felt  independent ;  but  there  was 
something  else  wanted.  The  latter  had  not  exactly 
evaded  Katy,  who  he  knew  was  pining  to  see  him, 
but,  feeling  his  pride  hurt,  had  not  taken  as  great 
pains  as  he  might  to  have  thrown  himself  accidental- 
ly in  her  way.  She  had  felt  this  neglect,  and  now 
when  his  pride  was  satisfied  hers  was  aroused,  and 
she  kept  herself  carefully  in-doors. 

It  took  a  week  to  build  the  well,  and  a  week  had 
elapsed  since — that  was  two  weeks  of  misery,  all 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  17? 

because  the  fish  did  not  bite  as  they  should  have 
done,  and  neglected  scientific  allurements  for  less 
artistic  attractions.  Deacon  Goodlow  was  misera- 
ble, because  Katy  looked  unhappy  and  reproachful, 
occasionally  enforcing  her  reproaches  with  a  sob  or 
two.  Deacon  Hartley  was  miserable,  partly  because 
he  was  ashamed  of  himself  and  partly  because  it 
went  against  his  whole  nature  to  quarrel;  Katy  was 
miserable,  because  her  lover  had  neglected  her,  and 
she  had  had  no  chance  to  disobey  her  father's  in- 
junctions not  to  see  him;  Harry  was  the  most 
miserable  of  the  party  now  that  the  excitement  of 
achieving  his  independence  was  over,  because  he 
missed  the  presence  of  his  lady-love,  and  knew  in  his 
heart  he  had  vented  a  little  of  his  anger  by  neglect- 
ing her. 

Harry  was  pining  for  her  now  in  a  much  more 
rampant  way  than  she  had  previously  pined  for  him, 
and  had  revolved  twenty  impracticable  schemes  of 
restoring  matters  to  their  condition  previous  to  the 
war.  The  inevitable  laws  of  nature,  however,  that 
had  caused  all  these  mental  wounds,  helped  to  bring 
them  to  a  crisis  and  finally  to  effect  a  cure.  It  was 
Sunday  morning,  and  Harry  had  resolved  twenty 
times  he  would  join  Katy  on  her  way  to  church,  for 
she  went  before  her  father  to  teach  a  class  of  Sun- 
day scholars,  and  twenty  times  resolved  that  he 
would  not.  His  father  had  convinced  himself  as 
many  times  that  neighborly  ill-will  should  be  cor- 
rected at  a  sacrifice  even  of  a  little  pride,  and  as 
often  that  he  could  not  make  the  first  advance; 
8* 


178  THE  SOUTH  BAY. 

when  a  small  voice  was  heard  at  the  door,  and  elec- 
trified them  both.  It  was  not  a  sweet  voice  nor  the 
tone  rich,  in  fact  it  might  be  called  harsh  and  unre- 
fined, but  the  sound  was  pleasanter  to  Harry's  ears 
than  any  he  had  heard  in  two  weeks.  The  voice 
belonged  to  the  extra  help  of  Mr.  Goodlow's  house- 
hold. 

"  Please,  sir,  master  said  I  mussent,  but  could  we 
have  a  little  water  from  your  well  ?  " 

Harry  and  his  father  gazed  at  each  other  and  then 
at  the  girl  in  wonder. 

"Please,  sir,"  she  continued,  seeing  their  bewil- 
dered air,  and  addressing  herself  to  Harry  in  an  in- 
jured tone,  "  our  well  has  run  itself  dry.  Ever 
since  you  built  yours  the  water  has  been  getting 
lower,  and  last  night  it  all  went.  Master  says  it's 
on  account  of  the  elevation,  but  I  say  it's  because 
yours  is  further  down  hill." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  you  have  no  water  at  all  ?  " 
said  Harry. 

"  But  I  do,  then,  unless  you  call  mud  water  ;  we 
managed  to  make  tea  last  night  by  tying  a  new  bit 
on  to  the  rope ;  but  wasn't  it  bitter  and  gritty, 
though  ?  You  ought  to  have  tasted  it ;  but  to-day 
it's  as  thick  as  paste,  and  you  know  we  cannot  send 
a  water  cart  on  Sunday." 

"  How  did  you  manage  for  washing  ?  " 

"  That's  how  it  comes  we  have  no  water  for  break- 
fast. We  had  saved  up  a  little  that  had  settled 
the  worst  down  to  the  bottom,  but  we  did  not  have 
enough  to  wash,  and  Miss  Katy,  when  she  tried  to 


THE   SOUTH  BAY.  179 

use  the  well  water,  came  out  all  streaked,  and  used 
up  all  that  we  bad  put  by;  because,  as  she  said,  she 
would  rather  go  without  her  breakfast  than  go  dirty. 
I  guess  I  wouldn't,  though." 

"  But  why  did  you  not  send  to  us  before  ?  "  said 
Mr.  Hartfey,  compassionately. 

"  Why,  because  master  thought  as  he  had  ordered 
away  your  girl,  you  would  do  the  like  by  me ;  un- 
less he  begged  pardon,  or  something  of  that  sort, 
and  he  did  not  feel  equal  to  that  after  your  throw- 
ing him  overboard  the  day  you  went  fishing." 

"  He  surely  never  said  I  threw  him  overboard  ?  " 

"  No,  but  I  guessed  it ;  how  could  he  'a  got  so 
wet  otherwise,  and  why  was  he  so  mad  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  guessed  all  wrong ;  I  did  nothing  of 
the  sort,  and  hope  you  have  told  no  one  such  a  silly 
story." 

"  Xever  mind  that  now,"  interrupted  Harry. 
"  Mr.  Goodlow  is  waiting  for  his  breakfast ;  so  take 
as  much  water  as  you  want  or  you  will  be  too  late." 

"  Give  my  respects  to  Mr.  Goodlow,"  added  his 
father,  "  and  say  he  is  welcome  to  water  from  our 
well  at  any  time,  and  that  I  regret  it  has  injured 
his." 

"  Yes,  and  you  can  add  that  father  will  call  on 
him  this  evening,  and  now  be  off;  I'll  draw  the 
water  for  you."  Tins  was  very  polite  in  Harry,  but 
respect  for  woman,  even  in  the  humblest  ranks,  is 
ever  the  attribute  of  an  American,  and — it  is  possi- 
ble Harry  may  have  wished  to  send  a  message  to 
Katy.  "  Leastways,"  as  the  girl  would  have  said, 


180  THE  SOUTH   BAY. 

Katy  was  hardly  out  of  sight  of  her  front  gate  when 
she  heard  a  step  she  well  knew. 

"  Oh,  Harry,"  she  said,  turning  a  pair  of  sorrow- 
ftil  eyes  upon  him,  that  shot  reproachful  torments 
into  his  very  heart.  "  How  could  you  ?  " 

The  sentence  was  incomplete  in  its  construction, 
but  complete  enough  in  its  effects ;  it  was  enforced 
with  a  little  sob  and  made  Harry  about  as  con- 
temptible a  wretch,  in  his  own  esteem,  as  if  she  had 
rehearsed  a  set  speech  of  an  hour's  duration,  depict- 
ing his  enormities. 

"  I  am  so  sorry,  Katy.  Do  you  forgive  me,  I  have 
been  wretched?"  This  was  a  good  tack,  and  being 
borne  out  by  his  appearance  and  evident  contrition, 
went  a  long  way  towards  securing  his  pardon. 

What  exactly  was  said,  the  tones  being  low  and 
the  faces  close  together,  will  never  be  discovered, 
but  light  came  back  to  Katy's  eyes,  color  to  her 
cheeks,  and  a  smile,  if  nothing  more,  to  her  lips ; 
and  ere  the  church  was  reached  a  happier  couple 
could  not  be  found  within  it.  Joy  is  doubly  blessed 
if  preceded  by  sorrow,  and  only  those  who  have 
known  its  want  can  appreciate  happiness. 

That  Sunday  evening,  as  had  been  his  custom, 
unbroken  for  many  years  till  the  last  two  weeks, 
Harry  presented  himself  at  Mr.  Goodlow's  gate  and 
entered  unannounced.  It  can  hardly  be  said  he 
was  wholly  undisturbed,  but  outwardly  exhibited 
perfect  composure,  prepared  to  meet  and  deter- 
mined to  exhaust  the  worst.  Courage  dispels  dan- 
ger, .and  there  was  nothing  and  nobody  to  meet 


THE  SOUTH  BAY.  181 

more  terrible  than  Katy  herself.  She  was  in  splen- 
did spirits,  full  of  fun,  rendered  more  touching  and 
gentle  on  account  of  the  recent  estrangement,  and 
charmed  Harry  with  the  renewal  of  her  former 
witchery.  He  gave  himself  up  to  the  mere  enjoy- 
ment of  her  presence,  following  her  every  motion 
with  unwearying  admiration,  and  never  removing 
his  eyes  from  her  loved  form.  He  seemed  as  though 
drinking  th rough  his  eyes  her  graceful  beauty,  and 
experienced  all  those  charming  sensations  that  love 
alone  bestows. 

He  had  almost  forgotten,  basking  in  present  joy 
and  dreaming  hazily  of  future  happiness,  there  was 
an  angry  father  in  existence,  when  the  latter  gentle- 
man appeared  at  the  door.  A  gleam  of  surprise 
crossed  his  features,  but  Harry  at  once  stepped  for- 
ward and  was  in  the  act  of  boldly  justifying  his 
presence,  when  he  saw  another  figure  in  the  door- 
way— that  of  his  own  parent. 

Mr.  Goodlow  slowly  advanced,  and  extending  his 
hand  frankly  to  Harry,  said  : 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  and  hope  you  will  forget 
the  errors  and  weaknesses  of  humanity,  and  forgive 
me  the  annoyance  my  foolish  and  unworthy  quarrel 
has  caused." 

"And  you,  Katy,"  said  Mr.  Hartley,  "must  do 
the  like  by  me  ;  we  have  been  guilty  of  wrong,  and 
should  only  do  worse  by  being  ashamed  to  own  it 
before  our  children,  whom  our  example  is  most 
likely  to  affect." 

Harry  felt  as  though  he  had  escaped  from  a  build- 


182  THE   SOUTH  BAY. 

ing  on  fire,  and  at  once  recovering  his  elasticity,  re- 
plied : 

"No;  in  quarrelling  Katy  and  I  never  intend  tc 
follow  any  one's  example.  Do  we,  Katy  ?  " 

"We  only  regret,"  she  continued,  evading  his 
gaze,  "that  a  shadow  should  have  come  between 
those  we  love  so  dearly." 

"  I  hope,  never  to  return,"  replied  Mr.  Goodlow, 
"  and  that  these  weeks  of  folly  and  punishment  may 
not  be  lost  upon  us  all ;  but  let  us  speak  no  more  of 
it." 

"  We  have  something  more  serious  still  to  men- 
tion," resumed  Mr.  Hartley,  gaily.  "  We  have  been 
settling  your  wedding-day,  and,  Katy,  you  should  be 
very  grateful,  for  I  named  an  early  one."  He  took 
her  affectionately  in  his  arms,  for  she  had  always 
been  like  a  daughter,  and  kissed  her  warmly  while 
she  hid  her  blushing  face. 

"  That  is  right,  father,"  burst  forth  Harry,  enthu- 
siastically. "  I  suppose  you  went  on  the  principle, 
'  If 'tis  well  done,  when  'tis  done,  'twere  well  'twere 
done  quickly.' '' 

"No,  Harry,  on  an  entirely  different  one,"  said 
Mr.  Goodlow,  laughing  heartily.  "  On  the  principle, 
that '  All's  well  that  ends  well.'  Though  that  is  but 
a  dry  joke,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned." 


PROTECTION   OF   FISH.  183 


PROTECTION    OF  FISH. 

THE  subject  of  the  protection  of  fish  demands 
the  consideration  of  every  political  economist,  as 
well  as  of  every  sportsman  in  our  country,  or  we 
shall  soon  be  reduced  to  the  condition  of  France,  and 
forced  to  repopulate  our  deserted  streams  and  lakes 
and  furnish  to  the  people,  with  great  labor  and  at 
high  price,  one  of  their  chief  articles  of  food.  In 
olden  times,  during  the  epicurean  days  of  Rome, 
and  later  during  the  reign  of  the  Catholic  fast  days, 
the  utmost  attention  was  bestowed  upon  the  preser- 
vation, protection,  and  improvement  offish;  enor- 
mous revenues  were  invested  in  immense  tanks 
where  they  were  fattened,  and  different  species  were 
transported  to  countries  where  they  were  unknown, 
and  domesticated  in  unaccustomed  waters.  With 
the  advent  of  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  several 
foreign  varieties  were  introduced  into  England, 
among  others  the  fat  carp  and  the  lean  pickerel ; 
and  fish  ponds  were  invariably  attached  to  monas- 
teries and  convents. 

Although  the  religion  that  ordains  fish-eating  to 
be  fasting,  having  shrunk  from  its  gigantic  reach  and 
extent,  is  confined  in  our  land  to  a  single  sect,  and 
the  inhabitants  of  the  waters  are  no  longer  a  reli- 
gious institution  ;  fish  must  always  constitute  a  con- 


184  PROTECTION  OF  FISH. 

siderable  portion  of  the  diet  of  the  poor,  and  an 
acceptable  change,  if  not  permanently  agreeable,  to 
the  rich.  Whatever  serves  for  food  to  the  people, 
above  all  to  the  lower  class,  deserves  the  attention 
of  the  statesman,  and  any  practice  that  will  tend  to 
diminish  its  price  demands  the  assistance  of  the 
philanthropist.  Consider  if  the  price  of  fish  were 
suddenly  to  double,  how  far  the  injury  would  ex- 
tend, and  how  much  suffering  would  follow.  When 
a  gradual  change  takes  place  in  the  cost  of  any  arti- 
cle of  food,  man  adapts  himself  to  altered  circum- 
stances, and  the  loss,  though  equally  great,  is  not  so 
perceptible  as  when  the  advance  is  sudden. 

That  the  supply  of  this  food  can  be  exhausted, 
and  its  quality  easily  reduced,  is  painfully  apparent ; 
streams  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  York  that  for- 
merly were  alive  with  trout  are  now  totally  desert- 
ed. The  Bronx,  famous  alike  for  its  historical  asso- 
ciations and  its  once  excellent  fishing,  does  not  now 
seem  to  hold  a  solitary  trout,  or  indeed  fish  of  any 
kind.  The  shad  that  fifty  years  ago  swarmed  up 
the  Hudson  Eiver  in  numbers  incomputable,  have 
become  scarce  and  quadrupled  in  price  during  that 
period  of  time.  Salmon,  most  nutritious  and  noblest 
of  fish,  which  in  ancient  days  paid  their  yearly  visits 
in  vast  numbers,  if  early  historians  are  to  be  be- 
lieved, to  our  principal  rivers  as  far  south  as  the 
Delaware,  are  at  present  taken,  nowhere  to  the 
southward  of  Maine,  and  in  but  limited  quantities 
even  in  that  wild  region. 

On  every  portion  of  our  sea-coast,  in  spite  of  re- 


PROTECTION  OF  FISH.  185 

plenishment  from  the  mighty  ocean,  the  same  dimi- 
nution is  visible,  while  many  of  our  confined  inland 
waters  are  absolutely  depopulated.  The  insatiable 
maw  of  New  York  market  swallows  alike  the  trout 
from  Maine,  the  bass  from  Lake  Erie,  or  the  white- 
fish  from  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  while  the  parvenus 
that  have  acquired  sudden  fortunes  in  that  wonder- 
ful city,  endowed  with  the  instincts  of  neither  gen- 
tlemen nor  sportsmen,  think  it  magnificent  to  devour 
trout  in  Autumn  and  black  bass  in  Spring,  judging 
by  their  extravagant  price  that  they  must  be  rare 
and  therefore  good.  The  rapidity  with  which  a 
section  of  country  can  be  fished  out  by  energetic 
pot-hunters  where  the  law  places  inadequate  re- 
straint, and  often  in  spite  of  the  law's  restraint,  has 
been  remarkably  evidenced  in  the  history  of  Sulli- 
van County.  When  the  Erie  Railroad  was  still  in- 
complete, and  the  tide  of  explorers  had  just  com- 
menced to  penetrate  beyond  Goshen,  and  only  occa- 
sional stragglers  reached  the  land  of  promise  and 
performance  beyond  Monticello ;  the  swamps  were 
alive  with  woodcock  and  the  streams  with  trout. 
But  as  the  railroad  advanced  and  gave  improved 
facility  of  travel,  so-called  sportsmen  poured  over 
the  country  in  myriads,  following  up  every  rivulet 
and  ranging  every  swamp,  killing  without  mercy 
thousands  of  trout  and  hundreds  of  birds,  boasting 
of  their  baskets  crowded  to  overflowing,  and  count- 
ing a  day's  sport  by  the  hundred ;  till  Bashe's  Kill, 
where  the  pearly-sided  fish  once  dwelt  abundantly, 
was  empty,  and  the  broad  Mongaup,  the  wild  Calli- 


186  PROTECTION  OF  FISH. 

coon,  and  even  the  joyous  Beaver  Kill,  with  its  in- 
numerable tributaries,  were  exhausted.  The  wood- 
cock disappeared  from  the  cold  black  mud  of  the 
springy  swamps,  the  trout  no  longer  broke  the  sur- 
face of  the  noisy  rills  of  that  picturesque  region, 
and  the  hunters  and  fishermen  turned  their  atten- 
tion and  carried  their  clumsy  rods,  bait-hooks, 
cheap  guns,  and  case-hardened  consciences,  else- 
where. 

So  it  has  been  and  will  be  everywhere,  unless  the 
people  and  the  real  sportsmen  take  the  matter  in 
hand  ;  the  farmers,  who  are  after  all  to  be  the  salva- 
tion of  our  institutions,  lose  by  the  destruction  of 
game  one  of  the  greatest  attractions  of  their  lands, 
and  are  interested  in  preserving  for  themselves  and 
their  city  friends  the  wild  dwellers  in  the  lakes  and 
brooks  from  wanton  and  ruthless  destruction.  Law- 
givers are  concerned  in  the  passage  of  proper  laws  on 
account  of  public  interest,  and  the  increasing  neces- 
sity of  cheap  food  that  a  rapidly,  augmenting  popu- 
lation engenders.  Sportsmen  have  the  greatest 
stake,  for  if  they  would  retain  for  their  old  age  and 
leave  to  their  children  the  best  preserver  of  health, 
a  love  of  field  sports,  they  must  protect  game-birds 
and  fish.  They  should  discourage,  by  their  conver- 
sation and  example,  all  infringement  of  the  law  or 
any  cruel  or  wasteful  prosecution  of  what  should  be 
sport.  If  they  find  a  man  who  destroys,  for  the 
purpose  of  destroying,  they  should  not  only  shun 
but  expose  him ;  if  they  meet  with  a  case  of  palpa- 
ble infraction  of  the  law,  they  should  enforce  punish- 


PROTECTION   OF  FISH.  187 

nient ;  by  these  means,  and  the  enactment  of  judi- 
cious statutes,  the  beautiful  wild  creatures  that  form 
so  pleasant  an  addition  to  the  charms  of  country 
life,  may  be  preserved  in  undiminished  numbers  for 
all  time. 

The  first  necessity,  however,  is  that  proper  and 
uniform  enactments  should  be  passed  in  every  por- 
tion of  our  extensive  nationality.  If  the  close  times 
differ  in  adjoining  states,  fish  will  be  killed  in  one 
and  sold  in  the  other  ;  it  is  useless  to  attempt  to  for- 
bid the  catching  of  trout  in  Maine,  if  they  can  be 
eaten  in  New  York.  Pinnated  grouse,  killed  on  the 
western  prairies  where  they  are  fast  being  extermi- 
nated, will  soon  become  extinct  if  not  protected 
in  New  York.  Woodcock,  if  forbidden  to  be  killed 
in  New  York  during  the  summer,  are  nevertheless 
shot  there  and  sold  in  New  Jersey,  if  the  law  of 
the  latter  place  permits.  Lobsters,  which  are  dis- 
appearing off  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  are  protected 
in  Boston  and  New  York,  but  not  in  Philadelphia. 

The  universal  rule  should  be  comprehensive  and 
simple,  as  the  habits  of  the  fresh  water  fish  are  suffi- 
ciently well  known  ;  protection  should  be  given 
during  the  spawning  season,  and  for  such  a  period 
before  and  after  as  to  prevent  the  annihilation  of 
those  who  have  survived  the  numerous  dangers  that 
surround  them,  and  are  ready  for  the  duties  of  par- 
turition, and  to  allow  them  to  recover  from  the 
exhaustion  resulting  from  the  operation. 

No  trout  should  be  killed  except  from  the  first  of 
March  to  the  first  of  September;  no  lake  trout  except 


188  PROTECTION   OF  FISH. 

from  the  first  day  of  February  to  the  first  day  of 
November,  and  no  black  bass  or  mascallonge  from 
the  first  day  of  January  to  the  first  day  of  June. 
These  times  may  be  restricted  for  certain  localities 
where  greater  protection  is  necessary,  but  should, 
under  no  circumstances,  be  enlarged.  Trout  spawn 
from  the  middle  of  October  to  the  latter  part  of 
November,  and  do  not  recover  their  condition  till 
the  opening  of  Spring.  Lake  trout  spawn  about  the 
same  time,  and  mascallonge  and  black  bass  in 
March,  April,  or  even  as  late  as  May  and  the  early 
part  of  June. 

None  of  these  fish  should  be  taken  in  nets,  nor  by 
spearing,  and  no  fykes,  seines,  or  gill-nets  should  be 
used  in  the  waters  which  they  inhabit.  Stringent 
regulations  to  this  effect  are  necessary,  as  it  has 
been  the  habit  of  the  market  fishermen  of  the 
northern  section  of  our  country  to  use  a  net  with 
meshes  small  enough  to  catch  yearling  trout,  and 
which  they  frequently  throw  to  one  side  and  leave 
to  perish  miserably.  This  net  fishing  is  continued 
all  winter,  so  that  not  only  are  thousands  of  large 
fish  destroyed  in  the  act  of  spawning,  or  just  after 
doing  so,  but  millions  of  the  young,  the  seed  of  the 
harvest,  are  slain  without  profit,  being  left  on  the 
ice  to  freeze. 

Spearing  is  also  terribly  fatal.  None  can  escape 
the  sharp  eye  of  the  spearsman,  and  although  many 
more  are  wounded  than  killed  they  rarely  recover,  for 
their  natural  enemies,  the  eels,  are  ever  on  the  alert 
for  such  occurrences,  and  fastening  themselves  upon 


PROTECTION  OF  FISH.  189 

the  wounded  spot  suck  out  the  little  life  that  is  left. 
There  are  many  streams  of  New  Jersey  which,  by 
persistent  gigging,  as  it  is  called,  have  been  divested 
of  every  swimming  thing,  so  that  they  are  abso- 
lutely uninhabited.  Not  only  trout,  but  catfish,  eels, 
and  suckers,  have  met  the  same  untimely  fate,  and 
now  boys  and  men  search  vainly  for  their  prey. 

By  fair  fishing  no  stream  or  pond  can  be  entirely 
exhausted ;  when  trout  have  the  privilege  of  biting 
or  not,  they  will  exhibit  sufficient  circumspection  to 
perpetuate  their  species ;  but  when  they  can  be  fol- 
lowed during  the  hours  of  darkness  to  their  retreats, 
and  exposed  by  the  glare  of  the  jack,  are  liable  to 
death  by  the  fatal  spear,  or  in  case  they  may  be 
enveloped  by  the  all-devouring  net,  they  have  no 
defence  or  escape,  and  must  soon  disappear  entirely. 
Their  numbers,  instead  of  helping  them  or  delay- 
ing the  catastrophe,  excite  the  cupidity  of  the 
poacher,  and  accelerate  instead  of  deferring  their 
destruction. 

Interested  parties  in  various  sections  of  the  coun- 
try, endeavor  to  convince  themselves  and  others 
that  trout  change  their  nature  in  these  favored 
localities,  and  either  spawn  from  time  to  time  as 
fancy  dictates,  or  postpone  the  performance  till 
winter's  frosts  have  driven  profitable  visitors  to  their 
city  homes.  The  proprietors  of  the  frontier  taverns, 
where  sportsmen  congregate  in  search  offfinny  prey, 
boldly  assert  that  there  are  several  kinds  of  brook 
trout,  of  which  one  variety  spawns  in  September, 
another  in  October,  and  so  on  in  such  manner  that 


190  PROTECTION  OF  FISH. 

it  is  always  right  and  proper  to  fish  for  them.  Na- 
turalists have,  as  yet,  failed  to  discover  this  pecu- 
liarity or  describe  these  varieties ;  and  although  they 
know  that  individuals  may  differ  casually  or  delay 
the  act  a  few  weeks,  they  recognise  one  well  known 
spawning  season.  The  ova  of  trout  are  largely 
developed  in  September,  and,  except  in  the  colder 
latitudes  and  where  they  are  extremely  abundant, 
these  fish  should  be  exempt  after  the  first  of  that 
month;  but  in  October  and  November,  pressing 
hunger  should  be  the  only  excuse  for  killing  them. 

The  laws,  however,  are  not  so  much  to  blame  as 
the  neglect  of  their  enforcement ;  perfect  statutes 
will  not  answer  if  they  are  not  carried  out,  and  the 
first  duty  of  sportsmen's  clubs  and  of  individual 
sportsmen,  a  duty  to  humanity,  to  themselves,  and 
to  their  fellow  creatures,  is  to  enforce  the  game 
laws.  By  game  laws  are  not  meant  those  barbarous 
statutes  of  England  that  made  it  more  criminal  in  a 
poor  man  to  slay  a  hare  than  a  human  being — sta- 
tutes that  are  deservedly  odious  to  free  men,  and 
which  by  no  possibility  could  be  introduced  into  the 
New  World ;  but  provisions  for  the  protection  and 
preservation  of  the  wild  inhabitants  of  our  woods 
and  waters,  a  common  heritage  of  beauty  and  sus- 
tenance, and  the  property  of  our  citizens  indiscrimi- 
nately. These  creatures  are  a  considerable  source 
of  wealth,  worthy  the  most  careful  atterftion ;  they 
breed  and  increase  of  themselves  without  care  or 
expense  ;  and  constitute  a  large  portion  of  the  stock 
of  our  markets.  It  would  be  an  interesting  investi 


PROTECTION   OF  FISH.  191 

gation  to  ascertain  how  much  money  is  paid  yearly 
in  the  City  of  New  York  for  the  wild  deer  and 
game  birds  of  the  west,  the  sea  fishes  of  our  coast, 
the  finer  varieties  of  our  inland  waters,  and  the  sal- 
mon of  Canada.  The  latter,  alone,  amounts  to 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars,  and  is  a  severe 
tax  paid  to  a  foreign  country  for  the  fatuity  that 
drove  those  noble  fish  from  our  own  rivers. 

This  vast  source  of  revenue  will,  however,  disap- 
pear, unless  precautions  are  taken  to  prevent  the 
untimely  slaughter  of  these  unprotected  creatures. 
If  their  periods  of  incubation  are  disregarded,  their 
nests  and  spawning-beds  broken  up,  and  themselves, 
when  engaged  in  the  duties  of  maternity,  disturbed 
or  slain,  they  will  diminish  rapidly  till  the  forests 
shall  cease  to  be  vocal  with  their  harmony,  and  the 
water  animated  with  their  gambols. 

In  England  not  only  do  game  preserves  produce 
a  good  rent  from  enthusiastic  sportsmen,  but  the 
fisheries,  particularly  of  salmon,  are  extremely  valu- 
able as  commercial  enterprises.  At  present,  in  our 
our  country,  we  only  recognise  the  value  of  these 
advantages  by  their  loss.  The  Tay  produces  a 
rental  of  $70,000  yearly  for  the  salmon  fisheries, 
and  so  profitable  have  fishing  rights  become,  that 
several  rivers  that  were  once  exhausted  have  been 
restored,  and  now  yield  large  revenues. 

If  we  would  have  salmon  at  our  own  doors,  we 
also  must  restock  the  Merrimack,  Connecticut,  and 
the  numerous  other  rivers  that  were  once  frequented 
by  them.  But  the  trout  and  the  black  bass  are  still 


192  PROTECTION   OF  FISH. 

with  us,  and  by  decent  care  and  treatment  may  b« 
plenteous,  for  the  pleasure  and  support  of  ourselves, 
our  children,  and  our  children's  children.  Consi- 
derable attention  has  been  expended  upon  some  of 
the  ponds  and  streams  on  Long  Island ;  and  although 
the  poacher  makes  occasional  depredations,  and 
lurking  through  the  bushes  plants  his  net,  or  with 
wriggling  worm  draws  forth  his  unseasonable  prey 
during  the  forbidden  periods,  the  improvement 
already  is  remarkable.  Ponds  that  were  once  empty 
of  fish  are  made  beautiful  by  the  splashes  of  the 
playful  trout,  and  streams  that  were  deserted  are 
replenished.  Enforce  the  law  thoroughly,  and  dis- 
continue unreasonable  slaughter,  and  fish,  from  their 
enormous  fecundity,  must  increase  immensely. 

It  is  probable  that  the  localities  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  our  large  cities  have  passed  their  worst 
days,  and  that  the  beautiful  lakes  and  rivers,  en- 
sconced in  the  wild  woods  and  amid  the  green  hills 
of  our  unopened  country,  are  in  the  most  danger. 
A  cockney  sportsman,  by  which  we  mean  not  a  city 
sportsman,  but  him  who,  wherever  born  or  bred, 
fishes  only  for  quantity,  and  from  a  vain-glorious 
spirit  of  boastful  rivalry,  is,  indeed,  a  ruthless  thing  ; 
he  spares  neither  fish,  flesh,  nor  fowl,  whether  he 
can  use  them  for  food,  or  mus't  leave  them  to 
putrify,  and  regardless  of  the  means  or  implements 
he  employs.  This  merciless  biped  invaded  Moose- 
head  lake  one  year,  armed  with  fly  and  bait  rod, 
and  with  two  additional  trolling  rods  projecting 
from  each  side  of  his  boat  as  he  moved  from  place 


PROTECTION  OF  FISH.  193 

to  place,  murdered  thousands  of  glorious  trout ; 
supplying  his  own  wants,  the  public  table,  and  the 
hog-pen — for  the  latter  was  separated  from  his  feed- 
ing place — till  the  pigs,  disgusted  at  his  brutality, 
were  surfeited,  and  bushels  of  putrescent  fish  had  to 
be  buried  or  thrown  into  the  lake.  Others,  almost 
as  murderous,  roam  the  north  woods  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  and  even  penetrate  as  far  as  the  un- 
broken shores  of  Lake  Superior,  threatening  anni- 
hilation to  our  game  of  every  kind.  The  man  who 
kills  an  animal,  bird,  or  fish,  knowing  that  it  must 
be  left  to  spoil,  justifies  the  charge  of  cruelty 
against  our  class,  and  deserves  the  scorn  and  con- 
demnation of  all  right-thinking  men. 

Wanton  injury  to  public  property,  in  game, 
should  be  punished  precisely  as  similar  injury  to 
public  property  in  grounds  or  buildings,  by  incar- 
cerating the  offender  in  prison ;  for  of  the  two,  the 
latter  is  less  injurious  in  its  ultimate  results.  A 
building  may  be  replaced,  but  who  can  restore  life 
to  the  fish  that  bears  a  thousand  undeveloped  young 
in  its  bosom,  or  can  give  back  to  the  starving  fawn 
the  mother  that  has  been  slain  at  its  side  ?  Mere 
pecuniary  fines  are  an  insufficient  punishment ;  the 
poaching  criminal  is  the  poorest,  as  he  is  the  mean- 
est, of  offenders,  and  laughs  at  any  attempt  to  col- 
lect penalties  that  are  not  enforced  by  imprison- 
ment ;  while  the  wealthy  cockney  is  willing 
to  run  the  risk  of  fine  if  he  can,  by  taking  the 
advantage  of  honest  sportsmen,  have  the  chance 
of  boasting  of  his  wonderful  prowess  and  sue- 


194  PROTECTION   OF   FISH. 

cess.  A  few  months  in  jail  would  cure  the  reck* 
lessness  of  the  former  and  cool  the  ardor  of  the 
latter. 

A  still  more  murderous  proceeding,  so  infamous 
that  it  is  rare  even  with  professional  poachers,  is  to 
cast  poison  into  the  water,  thus  slaying,  by  one  fell 
process,  large  and  small,  young  and  old.  Condem- 
nation of  such  a  practice  is  unnecessary;  and  were 
it  otherwise,  fit  language  could  hardly  be  found  to 
depict  its  enormity. 

By  the  introduction  of  unsuitable  fish  much  injury 
is  occasioned,  more  frequently  through  ignorance 
than  wilfulness.  Perch  placed  in  a  sluggish  trout 
pond,  like*  many  of  those  on  Long  Island,  will 
devour  the  young  fry,  and  soon  diminish  the  yield ; 
and  pickerel,  which  are  especial  pets  of  our  farmers, 
although  nearly  worthless  for  food  or  sport,  have 
devastated  some  of  the  best  ponds  in  the  country. 
The  former  are  devotedly  fond  of  minnows  or  small 
fish  of  any  kind,  and  such  bold  biters  as  to  give  rise, 
in  England,  to  the  story  of  a  country  gentleman 
who  enticed  an  ardent  angler  to  his  house  by  stock- 
ing one  of  his  ponds  with  several  dozen  perch,  all 
but  one  of  which  the  visitor  captured  on  the  day 
after  his  arrival,  before  breakfast.  The  pickerel  is 
exceedingly  voracious,  and  also  right  fond  of  his 
smaller  fellow  fish  for  dinner. 

To  meet  these  cases  the  ponds  must  be  drawn  off, 
as  neither  perch  nor  pickerel  remain  in  running 
water,  and  the  waters  must  be  re-stocked.  In  fact, 
wherever,  from  any  cause,  the  drain  is  greater  than 


PKOTECTION   OF   FISH. 


195 


the  supply,  the  deficiency  must  be  made  good  by 
artificial  means. 

By  these  means  can  the  seductive  little  beauties, 
whether  of  the  feathered,  furred,  or  scaly  tribe, 
that  allure  us  to  the  great  woods,  the  pleasant  mea- 
dows, or  the  sparkling  brooks,  be  preserved  through 
endless  time  in  undiminished  abundance,  furnishing 
the  incentive  that  leads  us  away  from  our  dull  books 
or  wearying  cares,  the  crowded  streets,  the  congre- 
gations of  eager  men,  the  trials  and  excitements  of 
business,  to  gentle  communings  with  the  hills  and 
skies,  to  contemplative  musings  beneath  the  leafy 
forests,  or  by  the  noisy  water-falls,  strengthening 
our  nerves,  renewing  our  hold  of  life,  and  elevating 
our  moral  nature. 


196  FLY-MAKING. 


FLY-MAKING. 

BEFORE  making  an  artificial  fly,  it  is  essential  to 
ascertain  and  select  the  best  materials,  and  the  neces- 
sary implements  for  the  purpose.  In  the  Game  Fish 
of  North  America  the  author  has  explained  the  sim- 
plest and  easiest  mode  of  tying  a  fly,  and  if  there  be 
any  person  who  has  not  read  that  work  he  should 
procure  it  at  once.  The  instructions  there  contained 
must  be  first  mastered  before  the  following  are 
attempted,  lest  discouragement  should  result ;  and 
no  one  that  does  not  desire  great  accuracy  and 
finish  need  waste  the  time  and  labor  of  understand- 
ing and  executing  the  ensuing  directions.  There  are 
a  few  persons  who  wish  to  tie  a  fly  handsomely ; 
this  chapter  is  written  for  them.  The  fish  probably 
care  little  whether  the  fly  is  made  at  Imbrie's  esta- 
blishment, of  the  finest  materials  and  from  the  most 
approved  patterns,  or  by  some  unknown  German 
wholesale  dealer,  of  any  chance  feathers. 

Remember,  however,  that  he  who  strives  not 
after  perfection  never  attains  mediocrity,  and  the 
improvement  of  himself  is  one  half  of  the  angler's 
pleasure.  If  we  are  content  with  an  ungainly  fly, 
we  will  be  satisfied  with  inferiority  of  rod  and  tackle ; 
and  although  the  fish  may  not  see  the  difference,  the 
angler  may  become,  from  neglecting  one  point, 
slovenly  in  all.  A  well-made  fly  is  a  beautiful 


FLY-MAKING.  197 

object,  an  ill-made  one  an  eye-sore  and  annoyance ; 
and  it  is  a  great  satisfaction  both  to  exhibit  and  exa- 
mine a  well-filled  book  of  handsomely  tied  flies. 

Nothing  can  be  thoroughly  done  unless  strict 
attention  is  given  to  minutia?.  The  material  must 
be  selected  and  protected  with  the  greatest  care,  the 
scissors  and  knife  must  be  sharp,  the  spring  pliers  of 
suitable  strength,  and  the  nails  of  the  workman  must 
be  long  and  his  hands  scrupulously  clean.  Here- 
after the  table-vice,  the  use  of  which  was  recom- 
mended in  the  Game  Fish  of  North  America,  and 
which  will  be  found  both  convenient  and  for  extreme 
neatness  necessary,  will  be  dispensed  with,  and  the 
hook  held  in  the  hand  during  the  entire  operation. 
This  at  first  may  appear  awkward,  require  more 
time,  and  give  an  inferior  result ;  but  sad  would 
be  the  case  if  the  loss  of  a  vice  were  to  diminish  a 
man's  capabilities. 

The  selection  of  the  hook  depends  mainly  upon 
the  fancy  of  the  fisherman,  and  partly  upon  the 
locality  of  its  destined  use.  If  fish  are  scarce  and 
shy,  select  one  that  will  insure  striking  ;  if  they  are 
abundant,  but  strong  aivd  vigorous,  choose  one  that 
will  hold.  In  trout-fishing  there  are  two  that  bear 
the  palm  in  striking,  the  Sproat  hook  and  the  forged 
O'Shaughnessy ;  in  holding  a  fish  after  he  is  struck, 
my  preference  is  for  Warren's  Lake-trout  hook, 
which,  however,  does  not  make  a  handsome  fly;  for 
salmon-fishing,  the  O'Shaughnessy  forged  hook  is 
the  general  favorite.  The  objection  to  the  straight 
or  hollow-pointed  Limerick,  is  that  it  may  be  drawn 


198  FLY.  MAKING. 

over  a  flat  surface  without  catching,  while  the  point 
of  the  O'Shaunessey,  by  projecting,  catches  and 
penetrates. 

Fish-hooks  of  the  best  quality  of  home  manufac- 
ture, of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  may  *be  obtained  at 
from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  cents  a  hundred, 
and  will  be  found  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  Eng- 
lish hook  at  double  the  price,  or  they  can  be 
manufactured  of  any  shape  desired. 

So  few  persons  make  their  own  flies  in  this  coun- 
try that  none  of  the  tackle-makers  sell  the  mate- 
rials, and  hence  the  amateur  will  have  to  collect 
the  latter  as  opportunity  offers.  Gut,  of  course,  can 
be  purchased  anywhere;  but  the  strongest  kind  of 
that  suitable  for  salmon -fishing  is  often  difficult  to 
obtain,  if  not  entirely  out  of  the  market.  In  trout- 
fishing,  select  fine,  round,  transparent  strands,  and 
pay  from  one  to  two  dollars  per  hank  of  one  hun- 
dred strands ;  for  salmon  choose  the  strongest  and 
roundest,  and  pay  from  three  to  four  dollars.  Gut 
is  imported  from  Spain  and  Italy,  and  is  made  by 
drawing  out  a  dead  silk-worm  till  it  is  of  the  proper 
fineness  ;  and  none  imported  from  the  East,  and  no 
imitation  of  grass,  sinew,  or  the  like,  is  worth  using. 
The  quality  can  be  determined  by  its  hardness ;  if  it 
resists  the  teeth  well,  it  is  good ;  age  weakens  and 
finally  decays  it. 

The  best  wax,  although  it  is  by  no  means  perfect, 
is  made  of  one  part  of  resin,  one  of  beeswax,  and 
four  of  shoemaker's  wax,  the  two  former  melted 
together  and  poured  into  water,  and  then  worked  in 


FLY-MAKING.  199 

with  the  latter.  It  should  be  kept  in  a  small  piece 
of  leather.  Shoemaker's  wax  itself  is  the  strongest, 
but  is  sticky  in  warm  weather  and  hard  in  cold. 
The  best  silk  is  the  finest  sewing-machine  silk, 
marked  with  three  O's  on  the  spool ;  but  for  very 
small  trout-hooks  the  better  plan  is  to  twist  two  or 
three  strands  of  spool  floss-silk  together  and  wax 
them  carefully. 

Tinsel  of  a  superior  kind  is  difficult  to  obtain;  the 
silver  should  be  both  variegated  and  plain,  and  the 
yellow  either  gold  or  well  covered  with  gilt,  and 
both  flat  and  wound  over  fine  silk.  A  mixture  of 
both  sorts  of  a  poor  quality  is  used  to  tie  linen 
goods,  and  can  be  obtained  at  the  furnishing  stores, 
but  a  better  article  is  to  be  had  from  the  importers 
of  gold  and  silver  braids.  The  proper  kind  of  floss- 
silk  comes  in  spools,  and  can  be  wound  off  by  the 
single  thread  over  the  hand  till  a  proper  thickness 
is  attained,  and  will  work  much  better  than  the 
common  floss  skeins.  If  the  latter  are  used,  they  must 
be  divided  into  several  strands  and  are  apt  to  bunch. 

Worsted  of  all  colors  can  be  obtained  in  the 
rough,  or  the  yarn  may  be  picked  or  used  intact; 
the  former  is  the  best  plan,  and  rivals  mohair  in 
appearance. 

Mohair  may  be  purchased  from  the  importers  of 
wroollens,  while  it  seems  impossible,  except  by  direct 
importation  from  the  English  tackle-shops,  to  obtain 
either  pig's  hair  or  seal's  fur.  For  salmon-flies  the 
two  last  are  infinitely  preferable,  having  a  gloss  that 
no  other  material  possesses. 


200  FLY-MAKING. 

Mohair  and  camlets  are  the  finest  selection  of 
goat's  hair  (the  former  being  carded  and  the  latter 
combed),  and  work  beautifully.  The  most  elegant 
flies  are  those  with  silk  bodies,  but  they  are  rarely 
so  effective  as  those  of  mohair.  Many  of  the  wild 
animals  of  our  woods  furnish  a  fine  fur,  such  as  the 
grey,  red,  and  black  squirrels,  martin,  mink,  rabbit, 
and  others. 

A  golden  pheasant  is  indispensable  for  salmon-flies, 
and  a  spoiled  skin  can  be  obtained  from  the  taxider- 
mists at  from  two  to  five  dollars,  according  to  their 
scarcity.  Hackles  for  salmon-flies  should  be  large 
and  from  matured  cocks,  those  for  dyeing  delicate 
colors  pure  white  ;  while  for  trout-flies  they  should 
be  small,  either  from  hens  or  from  cocks  not  over 
two  years  old,  and  taken  from  the  upper  part  of  the 
head.  They  must  taper  well  to  the  point  and  not 
have  a  stiff  stem,  and  should  have  the  fibre  about 
the  length  of  the  hook  shank.  For  wing-flies  they 
must  be  smaller  than  for  hackle-flies  and  palmers, 
and  the  superfluous  fibres  are  to  be  stripped  off  be- 
fore the  feather  is  tied  on.  Small  neck  feathers  of 
almost  any  bird  will  make  a  hackle  sufficiently  large 
for  the  midge  flies.  The  natural  colors  afford 
abundant  variety  for  trout-flies,  but  for  salmon  the 
gayest  must  be  dyed.  The  necessary  colors  are  red, 
claret,  blue,  orange,  purple,  and  yellow ;  and  by  suit- 
ing the  dye  to  the  natural  color,  so  that  the  latter 
shall  shine  through,  a  fine  effect  is  often  produced. 
Considerable  practice  and  experience  will  be  neces- 
sary in  selecting  hackles  to  distinguish  the  weak 


FLY-MAKING.  201 

from  the  harsh,  and  to  determine  the  proper  size  and 
elasticity.  Collect  all  varieties  of  dimension  and 
color,  and  tying  each  selection  round  the  roots  with 
a  thread,  keep  them  in  separate  papers.  After  a 
while,  those  that  experience  shall  have  proved  to  be 
unsuitable  may  be  discarded. 

The  feathers  of  small  birds  make  good  wings  for 
trout  flies,  and  there  is  not  generally  much  difference 
in  their  color.  Our  brown  thrush  is  nearly  the 
shade  of  the  English  land-rail ;  the  robin  furnishes  a 
fine  and  cohesive  feather  ;  the  woodcock's  tail  makes 
a  pretty  fly,  while  the  mallard  and  wood  duck  are 
indispensable. 

There  arc  two  distinct  feathers  from  the  mallard 
which  are  used  for  different  flies ;  the  brown  and 
grey  mallard  feather,  both  taken  from  the  drake, 
the  former  from  the  back  near  the  wings,  and  the 
latter  from  the  body  beneath  the  wings.  The  bird 
must  be  in  good  plumage,  and  under  the  most  favora- 
ble circumstances  they  are  both,  except  in  simple 
wings  as  hereafter  .described,  difficult  feathers  to  tie ; 
the  fibres,  although  very  fine,  being  apt  to  separate. 
Another  light  feather,  much  easier  to  handle  than 
the  grey  mallard,  is  taken  from  the  back  of  the  can- 
vas-back, but  is  of  rather  too  pale  a  color  ;  that  from 
the  red-lvad  is  of  darker  grey.  For  salmon  flies  a 
larger  range  is  requisite.  The  turkey  of  all  shades, 
but  especially  the  black  and  brown  of  the  wild  bird, 
is  the  main-stay ;  the  golden  pheasant's  tail  is  some- 
what similar ;  the  peacock  gives  us  excellent  feathers 
of  many  shades,  and  the  finer  herls  from  the  eyes  of 
9* 


202  FLY-MAKING. 

the  tail  add  lustre  to  a  mixed  wing.  Peacock  and 
ostrich  herls  are  used  for  the  heads  and  bodies  of 
certain  specimens.  Ibis,  macaw,  guinea-fowl,  blue- 
jay,  king-fisher,  parrot,  are  all  necessary  ;  while  the 
Argus  pheasant,  although  injured  by  the  water, 
makes  an  exquisite  wing,  and  the  silver  pheasant  is 
used  with  effect  in  black  bass  flies. 

For  dyed  feathers  the  pure  white  of  the  swan 
furnishes  an  excellent  material,  while  crossing  colors, 
such  as  yellow  over  ibis,  produces  great  brilliancy. 
The  mallard  and  canvas-back  are  also  favorites  for 
dyeing.  The  principal  shades  are  yellow,  blue,  and 
purple. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  make  a  salmon-fly  after 
the  simplest  plan  on  a  large  hook,  and  remember 
that  the  point  is  held  down,  and  when  the  further 
side  is  spoken  of,  it  refers  to  it  in  that  position ;  the 
head  is  -always  towards  the  right  and  that  is  called 
the  upper  part,  and  towards  it  is  above. 

Select  a  piece  of  stout  gut  a  little  longer  than  the 
shank ;  pare  down  the  ends  with  a  knife ;  double 
them  together  so  that  one  shall  extend  beyond  the 
other;  insert  the  picker  between  them,  bend  at  the 
top  and  shape  it  by  twisting  and  pinching  the  ends. 
If  the  hook  is  very  large  it  is  well  to  take  several 
strands  of  gut  and  first  twist  them  together  by  means 
of  a  vice  fastened  to  each  end,  while  they  are  wet 
and  before  shaping  them  ov%er  the  picker.  When 
the  gut  is  prepared  lay  it  down  and' take  a  well 
waxed  piece  of  silk  about  six  inches  long,  and  hold- 
ing the  hook  in  the  left  hand,  wind  a  number  of 


FLY-MAKING.  203 

separated  coils  from  the  lower  towards  the  upper 
end  of  the  shank,  but  not  quite  to  the  head.  If  the 
silk  is  well  waxed  it  will  remain  in  its  place  while 
you  pick  up  the  gut  with  your  right  hand,  and  lay 
it  along  the  under  side  of  the  shank  upon  these 
coils.  Hold  it  there  with  your  left  while  you  wind 
firmly  and  closely  toward  the  bend ;  catch  the  last 
turn  beneath  the  gut  or  pass  a  half  hitch,  and  cut. 
off  the  end.  Take  a  fresh  piece  of  silk,  always 
thoroughly  waxed,  and  pass  a  few  turns  over  its  end 
so  as  to  fasten  it ;  then  hold  a  piece  of  tinsel  four 
times  as  long  as  the  shank  between  your  left  fore- 
finger and  the  further  side  of  the  hook,  just  project- 
ing above  it,  and  nearly  vertical ;  pass  three  turns 
over  it,  and  wind  the  silk  in  separated  or  loose  coils 
towards  the  head  and  let  it  hang  there.  Fasten  the 
spring  pliers  on  to  the  lower  end  of  the  tinsel  length- 
ways with  it,  and  holding  the  shank  in  the  right 
hand,  with  the  left  forefinger  in  the  pliers,  twist 
several  turns  down  and  then  back  to  form  the  tag, 
covering  the  edges  of  the  first  turns  with  the  second 
carefully  and  neatly ;  let  the  pliers  hang ;  pass  the 
hook  to  the  left  hand ;  unwind  the  silk  with  the 
right  down  to  the  tinsel ;  fasten  off  with  three  turns 
and  cut  the  tinsel  close  to  the  hook.  Unwind  from 
the  floss-spool  over  your  right  hand  a  dozen  strands, 
and  smoothing  them  evenly  together  and  holding 
them  against  the  hook  with  the  left,  tie  in  the  ends 
firmly,  and  again  coil  the  tying  silk  toward  the  head 
out  of  the  way.  You  may  wind  the  floss  with  either 
hand  or  with  the  pliers  as  you  please  ;  if  you  wind 


204  FLY-MAKING. 

with  the  right  hand,  hold  the  hook  in  the  left  and 
press  the  second  finger  on  each  turn  as  it  is-  passed ; 
this  is  called  stopping  it  or  using  the  stop.  After 
covering  about  one  sixteenth  of  an  inch,  seize  the 
end  between  your  second  and  third  or  third  and 
fourth  fingers,  and  hold  it  firmly  while  you  bring 
down  the  tying  silk  and  pass  three  turns ;  holding 
the  silk  in  that  way  is  called  using  the  catch,  and  is 
difficult  to  acquire  with  facility.  Cut  the  floss  off 
neatly,  and  selecting  a  feather  from  the  golden 
pheasant  top-knot,  lay  it  on  its  face, — the  side  of  the 
feather  which  lies  nearest  the  bird  from  which  it  is 
taken,  is  the  inside  or  back,  and  the  contrary  side 
the  outside  or  face, — and  secure  it  firmly.  Stop  the 
tying  silk  and  take  up  your  hackle,  which  should 
have  been  previously  prepared  by  stroking  back  and 
pulling  out  a  few  fibres  toward  the  point,  and  hold- 
ing it  by  the  point  with  the  right  hand,  lay  it  on  its 
face  with  the  butt  towards  the  left  so  that  the  bare 
spot  shall  come  at  the  upper  end  of  the  floss  silk  tip, 
and  pass  two  turns  of  the  flying  silk  ;  insert  a  piece 
of  tinsel  in  the  same  manner  parallel  to  and  just 
over  the  hackle,  and  having  fastened  it,  hold  the 
tying  silk  with  the  catch  ;  take  up  the  dubbing  of 
mohair  with  your  right  hand  and  spin  it  over  the 
tying  silk  towards  the  left,  having  again  taken  the 
latter  into  the  right  as  soon  as  you  have  caught  the 
end  of  the  mohair  with  the  stop.  Shape  the  mohair 
so  that  the  body  shall  taper  and  twist  it  evenly 
together  with  the  tying  silk  towards  the  shoulder, 
using  the  stop  all  the  way,  and  do  not  carry  it  too 


FLY-MAKING.  205 

close  to  the  head ;  pull  off  the  superfluous  mohair 
with  the  fingers  of  the  right  hand  and  pass  the  silk 
four  turns  over  the  upper  end  of  the  body,  and 
winding  it  towards  the  head  slip  it  between  the 
gut  and  the  hook.  In  this  way  you  can  always 
secure  the  tying  silk  when  you  wish  to  lay  down 
your  work.  Spring  the  pliers  on  to  the  tinsel,  and 
with  the  right  forefinger  pass  four  even  open  coils 
carefully  and  regularly ;  unwind  the  silk,  and  having 
secured  the  tinsel  replace  it.  If  these  coils  are  im- 
perfect or  irregular,  neatness  cannot  be  obtained. 
Having  cut  off  the  tinsel,  catch  with  the  spring  pliers 
the  butt  of  the  hackle  and  follow  the  edge  of  the 
tinsel ;  rolling  the  hackle  on  its  back  so  that  the 
fibres  shall  point  down  the  shank.  When  you  reach 
the  shoulder  pass  several  turns  of  the  hackle  close 
above  one  another,  and  bringing  down  the  tying  silk 
secure  the  butt.  If  one  hackle  is  not  sufficient,  and 
it  rarely  is,  introduce  a  new  hackle  close  above  the 
first,  precisely  as  you  did  the  other,  only  on  its  back, 
and  wind  a  sufficient  number  of  close  coils  and  again 
fasten  it.  The  second  hackle,  if  weak,  may  be  fas- 
tened in  on  its  back  by  the  butt,  and  wound  with  the 
point. 

The  silk  being  hitched  under  the  gut  cut  it  off  and 
apply  a  new  piece  as  you  did  the  second,  and  wind 
it  towards  the  shoulder,  letting  it  hang  close  down 
to  the  hackle.  Prepare  the  wings  by  cutting  with 
a  sharp  knife  a  few  fibres  from  each  of  two  mated 
feathers,  together  with  a  little  of  the  stem,  so  that 
the  fibres  shall  not  be  separated,  and  taking  one 


206  FLY-MAKING. 

piece  by  the  butt  in  the  right  hand,  lay  it  on  the  side 
of  the  hook  next  to  you,  and  holding  it  with  the  left 
pass  two  turns  securely,  but  not  so  tight  as  to  de- 
range the  feather ;  then  catching  the  silk,  pull  the 
butt  fearlessly  into  its  proper  place,  and  passing 
another  turn  firmly,  hitch  the  silk  under  the  gut,  an<l 
bring  it  over  the  reversed  way  on  top  of  the  wing. 
Cut  off  the  butt  and  taking  the  hook  in  the  left  hand 
with  the  head  towards  the  left,  apply  and  hold  the 
other  wing  with  the  right  hand.  Still  keeping  the 
hook  reversed  and  wind  two  turns  of  silk  with  the 
left  hand  from  you,  and  having  arranged  the  butt 
pass  another  turn  and  hitch  the  silk  again  under  the 
gut,  so  as  to  reverse  it  for  the  second  time.  If  the 
wings  are  in  their  proper  place,  equally  on  each 
side  of  the  hook,  restore  the  latter  to  its  original 
position  in  the  left  hand,  and  having  cut  off  the  butt 
neatly,  pass  as  many  turns  as  you  think  advisable  ; 
then  having  with  your  nails  stripped  off  the  fibres 
from  the  butt  end  of  an  ostrich  herl,  tie  it  in  with  the 
point  towards  the  left  and  the  elevated  ridge  of  its 
stem  above.  Hitching  the  thread  again  under  the 
gut,  wind  with  the  spring  pliers  the  herl  in  close 
coils  to  form  the  head  ;  secure  and  cut  it  close,  and 
then  stopping  one  end  of  silk  under  your  forefinger 
whip  the  other  over  it  three  turns  and  draw  all  tight. 
Apply  a  little  varnish  at  the  head  and  your  fly  is 
finished. 

To  strengthen,  the  fly,  it  is  well  to  use  a  little  var- 
nish before  the  head  is  commenced,  and  even  before 
the  wings  are  laid,  but  the  writer's  experience  goes  to 


FLY-MAKING.  207 

prove  that  the  wings  are  the  last  part  of  the  fly  to 
give  out.  The  head  will  be  smaller  if  instead  of  the 
ordinary  tying  silk  three  single  strands  of  floss  are 
used. 

To  make  a  handsome  fly,  fasten  the  hook,  the  tag, 
the  tip,  and  the  tail  as  directed,  then  preparing  an 
ostrich  herl  as  for  a  head,  tie  it  in  and  wind  seve- 
ral coils  close  to  and  covering  the  butt  of  the  tail, 
holding  the  hook  in  the  right  hand  with  the  silk 
coiled  up  out  of  the  way,  and  using  the  pliers  to  guide 
the  herl.  Secure  the  end,  apply  with  the  left  hand 
at  the  nearer  side  of  the  hook,  the  tinsel,  and  after- 
wards at  the  further  side  floss,  for  the  body.  Coil 
the  tying  silk  out  of  the  way,  and  with  the  left  hand 
wind  the  floss  half  way  up  the  shank  and  secure  it ; 
then  tie  in  a  hackle  and  some  dubbing  as  heretofore 
directed,  and  having  spun  the  latter  on  the  tying 
silk  with  the  right  hand,  work  it  up  towards  the 
head  for  the  second  division  of  the  body,  and  secure 
it  firmly.  Hitch  the  silk  under  the  gut,  and  thrust- 
ing the  butt  of  the  hackle  down  through  the  gut 
loop,  with  the  pliers  sprung  on  to  the  tinsel,  and  on 
the  left  forefinger  coil  the  tinsel  up  as  far  as  the 
hackle ;  withdraw  the  latter  from  the  loop,  hold  it 
and  the  hook  in  the  left  hand,  and  with  the  right 
forefinger  continue  the  tinsel  to  the  head.  Secure 
it ;  wind  and  secure  the  hackle  as  heretofore,  and 
apply  a  new  piece  of  tying  silk  composed  of  strands 
of  floss. 

Select  a  few  fibres  of  various  feathers,  which,  com- 
bined, will  produce  a  pleasing  effect,  and  holding 


208  FLY-MAKING. 

them  all  together  in  the  left  hand  twist  the  lower 
half,  that  nearest  the  stem  several  times,  and  break 
it  with  the  nails  of  the  right  thumb  and  linger,  till 
the  fibres  are  softened  at  the  spot  where  they  are 
to  be  tied  to  the  hook.  Include  with  them  a  piece 
of  herl,  and  applying  them  with  the  right  hand  to 
the  hook,  hold  them  and  it  with  the  left,  while  you 
take  sufficient  turns  of  silk  with  the  right,  hitch  the 
silk  and  springing  the  pliers  on  to  the  her],  wind  and 
fasten  the  head  and  finish  off. 

There  may  be  as  many  joints  or  divisions  as  fancy 
shall  dictate ;  and  they  can  be  either  of  floss  silk, 
mohair,  or  other  material.  To  conceal  the  joints 
herl  may  be  wound  like  a  head  or  a  few  turns  of 
hackle  taken,  or  two  small  feathers  from  the  golden 
pheasant's  neck  may  be  applied,  one  above  and  the 
other  below,  and  after  being  loosely  tied  they  may 
be  drawn  down  by  the  butts  till  they  are  separate 
round  the  entire  joint.  The  favorite  feather  for  the 
tail  is  the  golden  pheasant  top-knot,  but  in  many 
flies  scarlet  worsted  is  preferable,  and  the  fibres  of 
other  feathers  may  be  substituted.  In  making  a 
mixed  wing  as  it  is  called,  separate  the  fibres  as 
much  as  possible,  and  after  the  wing  is  fastened,  a 
long  golden  pheasant  top-knot  tied  over  it  will 
often  improve  the  effect.  It  is  common  to  add  to  the 
wing  two  fibres  of  blue  macaw,  one  on  each  side, 
and  to  tie  them  properly  the  silk  should  be  reversed 
by  passing  it  under  the  gut,  as  directed  for  tying 
simple  wings.  Care  and  experience  are  requisite  to 
the  selection  of  a  handsome  mixed  wing,  and  fibres 


FLY-MAKING.  209 

Df  mallard  or  wood  duck,  plain  or  dyed,  are  usually 
a  component  part.  Delicate  feathers  produce  a  finer 
effect  than  coarse  ones. 

In  tying  in  an  entire  plume  reduce  it  to  the 
proper  size  by  pulling  off  the  fibres,  and  if  the  stem 
is  large  pare  it  away  and  always  flatten  and  work  it 
with  the  nails  ;  then  tie  it  loosely  till  it  is  properly 
arranged,  and  finally,  secure  it  with  a  number  of 
turns.  It  will  slip  unless  made  unusually  firm,  which 
the  smallness  of  the  head  will  readily  permit. 

Where  the  tail  is  worsted,  it  may  be  made  of 
several  thicknesses,  left  longer  than  necessary,  and 
pared  down  and  picked  out  after  the  fly  is  finished. 
As  it  is  essential  that  in  making  a  head,  the  ridge  of 
the  stem  of  the  herl  should  be  above,  and  as  it  is  often 
obstinate  in  its  refusal  to  take  that  position,  it  may 
be  wound  either  way, — that  is,  from  you  or  towards 
you. 

Care  should  be  taken  with  simple  wings  that  each 
is  in  the  same  relative  position  to  the  body,  and  that 
the  fibres  arc  not  separated ;  with  this  object  not 
only  must  the  thread  be  reversed  as  above  directed, 
but  cohesive  feathers  should  be  selected.  Some  are 
exceedingly  difficult  to  tie,  while  others,  such  as  the 
pheasant  and  turkey,  retain  their  place  readily.  They 
should  be  selected  from  feathers  taken  from  the 
opposite  sides  of  the  bird;  and  if  two  or  more  differ- 
ent kinds  are  to  be  used,  the  first  wing  should  be 
completed  before  the  other  is  commenced,  and  before 
the  thread  is  reversed. 

In  rolling  an  ordinary  feather  in  place  of  a  hackle, 


210  FLY-MAKING. 

the  same  course  may  be  taken  as  with  the  latter,  but 
the  better  way  where  it  is  large  enough  is  to  strip  off 
the  fibres  of  one  side,  and  then  pare  away  the  stem 
with  a  sharp  knife.  This  requires  care  lest  the  knife 
slip  and  cut  your  hopes  in  twain.  The  same  may  be 
done  with  a  simple  hackle  where  great  neatness  is 
required,  except  that  the  stem  does  not  need  paring. 

The  tinsel  maybe  double,  tied  in  on  opposite  sides 
of  the  hook  and  wound  contrary  ways,  but  the  effect 
is  hardly  better  than  a  simple  twist.  In  the  latter 
avoid  too  many  coils  ;  they  should  not  exceed  four 
on  hooks  numbered  not  larger  than  one  and  a  half. 

Two  hackles,  which,  if  the  colors  are  well  con- 
trasted, produce  a  fine  effect,  are  usually  rolled  to- 
gether, but  may  be  wound  one  after  the  other  if 
care  is  taken  to  pick  out  the  fibres.  They  are  tied 
in  at  one  time  and  handled  as  though  they  composed 
but  one. 

A  trout-fly  may  be  made  in  the  manner  heretofore 
directed  for  salmon-flies,  omitting  as  much  as  you 
please,  or  the  wings  may  be  laid  together  back  to 
back  or  face  to  face,  held  in  that  position  in  the  left 
hand,  and  applied  to  the  hook  after  the  fibres  have 
been  pinched  with  the  nails  at  the  proper  place. 
Being  secured  in  that  way  they  resemble  the  wings 
of  the  ephemeras  closely  ;  whereas  to  make  one  of 
the  phryganidce  a  few  fibres  of  one  side  may  be 
stripped  off  and  tied  on  alone,  lying  close  down  upon 
the  hook.  Remember  the  ephemeridce  have 
whisks,  the  phryganidaz  have  none ;  the  wings  of 
the  former  stand  up,  of  the  latter  lie  down.  Coarse 


FLY-MAKING.  211 

fibres  of  hackle,  or  golden  pheasant  breast  and  back, 
are  usually  employed  for  whisks  ;  and  two  strands  of 
floss  carefully  waxed  with  a  small  edge  of  the  wax, 
will  make  a  tying  silk  as  strong  and  large  as  should 
be  used  for  a  small  fly.  If  well  waxed,  the  finer  the 
silk  the  firmer  it  holds;  if  not  waxed  no  silk  what- 
ever will  hold. 

Another  way  of  tying  a  trout-fly,  by  which  more 
life  is  supposed  to  be  given  to  it,  is  by  commencing 
to  fasten  the  gut  at  the  bend  and  finishing  at  the 
head,  holding  the  hook  reversed ;  then  change  the 
hook  to  its  proper  position,  and  reversing  the  thread, 
lay  on  the  wings,  which  are  composed  of  two  strips 
of  feather  folded,  so  that  they  shall  point  up  along 
the  gut ;  secure  them  firmly  and  cut  off  the  butts 
close,  divide  them  with  the  point  of  the  picker  and 
pass  the  thread  through  the  opening  each  way  several 
times,  and  if  necessary  above  them  both,  but  not  on 
the  root  of  the  wings,  till  they  stand  up,  then  push- 
ing them  into  their  original  position  tie  in  below 
them  by  the  larger  end  a  hackle  and  a  piece  of 
round  tinsel,  and  spinning  a  little  dubbing  on  the 
silk,  wind  it  toward  the  bend  ;  hold  the  thread  with 
the  catch,  and  with  the  pliers  wind  the  tinsel  and 
afterwards  the  hackle,  and  fasten  both  at  the  bend  ; 
and  finish  off  with  two  half-hitches.  The  silk  com- 
posing the  material  in  which  the  round  tinsel  is 
wound  may  be  left  for  a  tail,  the  coating  being 
pulled  off;  or  the  tip  of  the  hackle  may  be  so  left, 
or  proper  whisks  may  be  introduced.  The  wings 
being  drawn  into  their  appropriate  place  will  remain 


212  FLY-MAKING. 

there,  and  offering  resistance  to  tne  water  are  sup- 
posed by  some  to  imitate  motion.  Those  tied  in  thisi 
manner  are  not  handsome,  but  are  great  favorites 
with  certain  fishermen  for  their  assumed  killing  qua- 
lities, and  are  considered  ruined  if  the  silk  covers 
the  roots  of  the  wings,  as  is  done  by  most  Irish  fly- 
tiers.  . 

Flies  may  also  be  finished  at  the  shoulder  under 
the  wing ;  a  course  that  seems  to  oifer  no  advan- 
tages and  to  combine  most  disadvantages.  Or  the 
body  may  be  tied,  beginning  at  the  shoulder  and 
finishing  at  the  bend,  as  last  described,  omitting  the 
wings  and  leaving  a  place  for  them  till  the  last ;  a 
new  piece  of  thread  is  then  applied,  and  the  wings  be- 
ing tied  in  their  natural  position,  the  second  finu 
is  made  at  the  head. 

To  prepare  two  single  strands  of  floss  as  tying 
silk,  hold  one  end  between  your  teeth,  twist  the  silk 
and  rub  it  lightly  with  a  small  edge  of  wax.  If  the 
weather  is  cold  the  wax  may  require  thumbing  be- 
fore it  can  be  used  or  will  stick  to  the  silk.  There 
will  be  found  considerable  difference  in  the  strength 
of  strands  of  floss  according  to  the  color,  and  in 
very  small  flies  this  may  be  suited  to  the  insect 
intended  to  be  imitated,  and  the  necessity  of  any 
other  body  avoided. 

The  word  buzz,  which  is  taken  from  the  buzzing 
motion  of  an  insect's  wings  when  moved  rapidly,  is 
applied  to  the  hackle  wound  more  or  less  along  the 
body,  and  supposed  thus  without  wings  to  repre- 
sent that  motion.  The  hackle  may  be  carried  all 


FLY- MAKING.  213 

the  way  from  the  "bend  or  only  part  of  the  way,  or 
merely  tied  very  full  at  the  head.  In  this  matter, 
as  well  as  concerning  palmers,  writers  differ.  A 
palmer  is  properly  a  long-bodied  fly  with  two  small 
hooks,  and  hackles  wound  the  entire  length,  to 
represent  a  caterpillar  and  its  hairy  ornaments. 
The  hooks  are  often  made  double  expressly  for  this 
purpose.  A  hackle  has  but  one  hook  and  a  shorter 
body.  The  word  midge  is  another  word  that  leads 
to  mistakes ;  there  are  only  a  few  proper  midge-flies, 
such  as  the  gnat,  ant,  etc.,  but  any  fly  may  be 
dressed  on  a  minute  hook  and  called  a  midge-fly, 
although  this  is  not  an  accurate  use  of  language. 
Horse-hair  is  sometimes  used  as  a  substitute  for  gut 
by  old-fashioned  anglers,  but  it  is  weaker,  more  apt 
to  slip,  and  more  perceptible  to  the  fish. 

An  excellent  plan  for  preserving  feathers  conve- 
niently and  safely,  is  to  put  them  in  envelopes  suited 
in  size  to  their  length,  and  to  stow  them,  together 
with  a  piece  of  camphor,  in  a  tin  box.  If  they  are 
looked  over  occasionally,  and  the  camphor  renewed 
as  it  wastes,  they  will  remain  untouched  by  moth  ; 
but  if  they  are  to  be  kept  for  a  long  time  unhandled, 
they  should  be  deposited  in  a  linen  bag.  The  enve- 
lopes should  be  large,  for  if  the  fibres  are  bent  they 
will  not  make  handsome  wings,  and  the  different 
classes  of  feathers  may  be  tied  in  separate  bundles. 
.  The  following  wrax  is  recommended  in  the  Appen- 
dix to  "Fly-fishing  in  Salt  and  Fresh  Water:" — 
Melt  some  resin  in  a  small  vessel  over  a  slow  fire, 
and  whilst  it  is  on  the  fire  and  after  it  has  become 


214  FLY-MAKING. 

fluid,  take  a  pure  white  wax  candle,  light  it  and  let 
it  drop  into  the  melted  resin  ;  there  is  no  rule  as  to 
the  quantity.  Pour  out  upon  a  board  either  greased 
or  rubbed  with  wax  from  the  candle,  one  fourth  of 
the  composition  ;  then  drop  more  wax  into  the  re- 
mainder and  pour  out  one  fourth  more.  Proceed  in 
the  same  manner  with  the  other  two  fourths,  and 
thus  you  will  have  wax  of  four  degrees  of  hardness  ; 
that  with  the  least  wax  dropped  from  the  candle 
being  for  use  in  hot  weather,  the  others  for  different 
degrees  of  temperature  of  the  seasons.  After  the 
composition  has  become  cool  on  the  board,  it  should 
be  well  worked  on  the  board  as  shoemaker's 
wax  is. 

To  make  soft  wax  to  use  upon  very  delicate  silk, 
dissolve  some  common  shoemaker's  wax  in  spirits  of 
wine  until  it  becomes  of  the  consistency  of  butter, 
then  put  a  small  quantity  on  the  inside  of  a  piece  of 
an  old  kid  glove,  and  draw  the  silk  gently  through 
it.  Or  put  a  piece  of  shoemaker's  wax  the  size  of 
a  walnut  in  a  small  bottle,  and  pour  over  it  an  ounce 
of  eau-de-cologne ;  shake  it  occasionally  till  it  dis- 
solves, when  it  is  ready  for  use ;  then  taking  a  drop 
between  the  finger  and  thumb,  draw  the  silk  through 
it.  It  may  be  carried  in  a  metal  bottle  with  a 
screw  stopper,  and  if  well  corked  will  keep  for 
years. 

In  Scrope's  Days  and  Nights  of  Salmon  Fishing, 
is  found  the  following  description  of  a  few  favorite 
salmon  flies : — 


FLY-MAKING.  215 

No.  1.  KINMONT  WILLIE. 

Wings.— Mottled  feather  from  under  the  wing  of 
n,  male  teal. 

Head. — Yellow  wool. 

Body. — Fur  of  the  hare's  ear. 

End  of  Body. — Red  wool. 

Tail.— Yellow  wool. 

Round  the  body. — Black  cock's  hackle. 

No.  2.  LADY  OF  MERTOUN. 

Wings. — Mottled  feather  from  under  the  wing  of 
the  male  teal. 

Head. — Crimson  wool. 

Body. — Water  rat's  fur. 

End  of  body. — Crimson  wool. 

Tail.— Yellow  wool. 

Round  the  body. — Black  cock's  hackle. 

End  of  body. — A  little  red  hackle. 

No.  3.  TOPPY. 

Wings. — Black  feather  from  a  turkey's  tail  tipped 
with  white. 

Head. — Crimson  wool. 
Body. — Black  bullock's  hair. 
End  of  body. — Crimson  wool. 
Tail. — Yellow  wool. 
Body. — Black  cock's  hackle. 
End  of  body. — Small  piece  of  red  cock's  hackle. 


216  FLY-MAKING. 

No.  4.  MICHAEL  SCOTT. 

Wings. — Mottled  feather  from  the  back  of  a  drake 
(mallard). 

Head. — Yellow  wool  with  a  little  hare's  fur  next 
to  it. 

Body. — Black  wool. 

End  of  the  body. — Fur  from  the  hare's  ear ;  next 
to  the  hare's  ear,  crimson  wool. 

Tail— Yellow  wool. 

Round  the  body. — Black  cock's  hackle. 

End  of  the  body. — Red  cock's  hackle. 

Round  the  body. — Gold  twist  spirally. 

No.  5.  MEG  WITH  THE  MUCKLE  MOUTH. 

Wings. — From  the  tail  of  a  brown  turkey. 
Head. — Crimson  wool. 
Body. — Yellow  silk. 
End  of  body. — Crimson  wool. 
Tail. — Yellow  or  orange  wool. 
Round  the  body. — Red  cock's  hackle. 
Round  the  body. — Gold  twist ;   over  it  hackle 
mixed  with  color,  as  above. 

No.  6.  MEG  IN  HER  BRAWS. 

Wings. — Light  brown  from  the  wing  of  a  bittern. 

Head. — Yellow  wool. 

Next  the  head. — Mottled  blue  feather  from  a  jay'a 
wing. 

Body. — Brown  wool  mixed  with  bullock's  hair. 

Towards  the  end  of  body. — Green  wool ;  next  to 
that  crimson  wool. 


FLY-MAKING.  217 

Tail. — Yellow  wool. 

JRound  the  body. — Gold  twist ;  over  that  cock's 
hackle,  black  at  the  roots  and  red  at  the  points. 

"  Concerning  these  flies,  I  will  note  one  thing,  which 
is,  that  if  you  rise  a  fish  with  the  Lady  of  Mertoun, 
and  he  does  not  touch  her,  give  him  a  rest  and  come 
over  him  with  the  Toppy,  and  you  have  him  to  a 
certainty,  and  vice-versa.  This  I  hold  to  be  an  in- 
valuable secret,  and  is  the  only  change  that,  during 
my  long  practice,  I  have  found  eminently  successful. 

Another  method  of  dressing  No.  3,  Toppy ;  wing 
feather  from  rump  or  tail  of  turkey,  which  is  black 
below  and  strongly  marked  with  a  white  tip,  to  be 
set  on  Tweed  fashion  (that  is  to  say,  the  wings 
parted  and  made  to  lie  open  like  a  butterfly's  wings). 

"Body  black  mohair;  three  turns  of  broad  silver 
tinsel. 

"  Blue  or  black  heron's  neck-feather  at  the  shoulder ; 
if  heron's  feather  cannot  be  procured,  a  good-sized 
black  cock's  hackle ;  orange  or  yellow  wool,  for  tail." 

The  long  transparent  bodies  which  are  made  in 
imitation  of  the  ephemcridce,  and  are  rather  more 
admired  by  the  fancy  angler  than  by  the  fish,  are 
composed  of  small  pieces  of  gut,  whalebone,  or  other 
similar  material,  which,  after  being  cut  to  the  proper 
length,  are  fastened  on  at  the  shoulder,  together  with 
a  thin  flat  end  of  gut,  such  as  comes  in  the  covered 
part  of  every  hank,  and  which,  after  being  well 
soaked  in  warm  water,  has  been  smoothed  down 
with  the  finger  nail.  The  latter,  while  still  damp 
and  pliable,  is  wound  evenly  round  the  material  of 
10 


218  FLY-MAKING. 

the  body,  including  the  hook,  for  several  turns,  and 
then  round  the  body  alone,  and  secured  at  the  ex- 
tremity by  passing  a  couple  of  turns  over  the  end 
and  drawing  it  through.  As  this  is  transparent,  it 
will  show  the  color  of  the  substance  below,  and  may 
even  be  wound  over  floss-silk  bodies  which  do  not 
project  beyond  the  hook,  and  while  adding  brilliancy, 
will  protect  them  from  injury.  The  whisks  may  be 
included  with  the  solid  material  of  the  tody,  and 
an  upper  section  may  be  added  ;  the  hackles  are  to 
be  introduced,  and  the  wings  secured  afterwards ; 
but  although  a  very  perfect  imitation,  it  is  not  gene- 
rally so  killing  as  the  ordinary  artificial  fly. 

In  giving  the  preceding  directions,  it  is  by  no  means 
intended  to  advise  that  the  table  vice  should  bo 
discarded ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  a  small  or  hand- 
some fly  can  be  tied  much  more  easily  with  its  assist- 
ance. A  little  practice  with  the  fingers  alone  will, 
however,  greatly  increase  one's  expertness,  and  re- 
move an  awkward  difficulty  in  case  the  vice  should 
by  any  chance  be  left  behind.  The  great  objection 
to  tying  a  fly  with  the  fingers  is  the  risk  of  mussing 
the  feathers,  especially  in  summer,  when  perspiration 
prevails. 

I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  J.  James  Hyde,  a  gentle- 
man who,  although  an  amateur,  is  one  of  the  most 
finished  anglers  and  neatest  dressers  of  a  well-imi- 
tated trout-fly  in  the  United  States,  for  the  follow- 
ing directions  for  tying  all  Ronalds's  flies  with  the 
feathers  of  our  American  birds,  so  that  the  angler 
who  may  be  unacquainted  with  the  English  feathers 


FLY-MAKING.  219 

can  make  an  accurate  imitation,  and  not,  as  is  too 
common  in  this  country,  produce  some  wretched 
abortion  for  a  well-known  fly,  and  may  at  the  same 
time  avoid  the  unnecessary  outlay  of  importing 
expensive  foreign  materials. 

The  following  list  of  flies  is  taken  from  Alfred 
Ronalds's  "  Fly-Fisher's  Entomology."  This  work 
has  been  selected  because  its  descriptions  are  imita- 
tions of  real  flies,  and  not  of  traditional  or  conven- 
tional nondescripts,  which,  although  the  delight  of 
professional  dressers,  might  be  safely  worshipped 
without  breaking  the  commandment,  since  they  are 
not  the  "likeness  of  any  thing  in  the  heaven  above, 
nor  in  the  earth  beneath,  nor  in  the  waters  under  the 
earth." 

Some  alterations  have  been  made  for  the  purpose 
of  facilitating  the  reader  in  his  choice  of  materials, 
and  the  feathers  indicated  are,  in  most  cases,  those 
of  our  own  birds,  which  may  be  easily  procured,  and 
are  quite  as  suitable  as  the  foreign  ones  given  by 
Ronalds.  Mohair  is  the  best  material  for  the  bodies 
of  trout-flies,  and  though  others  are  sometimes 
named  as  being  an  easier  method,  the  experienced 
amateur  will  prefer  mohair,  with  which  he  will  pro- 
duce the  same  efiect,  without  any  of  the  objections 
to  which  all  other  materials  are  liable;  and  by  a  judi- 
cious mixture,  any  shade  of  color  may  be  obtained. 

Ronalds's  work  being  descriptive  of  English  flics 
only,  it  has  been  deemed  advisable  to  substitute 
their  American  prototypes  in  all  cases  where  they 
are  known ;  and  although  the  trout  are  not  perhaps 


220  FLY-MAKING. 

thorough  entomologists,  the  scientific  fisherman  will 
always  prefer  to  use  a  fly  which  exists  in  the  waters 
he  frequents,  to  an  English  resemblance,  restricted 
perhaps  to  a  confined  locality  some  thousands  of 
miles  away.  As  a  general  rule,  there  is  no  doubt 
that  the  best  imitations  of  the  fly  the  fish  are  taking 
will  be  the  most  successful ;  yet  there  are  excep- 
tions, of  which  the  ibis  fly  is  a  glaring  instance.  It 
is  also  desirable  at  times  to  vary  the  sizes  of  flies, 
and  to  make  the  imitations  larger  than  the  living 
flies — when,  for  instance,  the  water  is  rough  or  thick; 
but  these  variations  are  not  of  absolute  importance. 

No.  1.  THE  BLUE  DTJN. 

This  fly  is  the  earliest  American  ephemera,  and 
may  be  found  on  warm  days  in  February.  In 
March  it  is  abundant.  It  lives  three  or  four  days, 
and  then  becomes  the  red  spinner. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Mouse-colored  mohair,  spun  very  thinly 
on  yellow  silk. 

Tail. — Two  fibres  of  gray  mallard. 

Wings. — From  a  quill-feather  of  the  robin's  wing. 
The  third  or  fourth  feather  with  a  tinge  of  reddish 
brown  at  the  extremity  of  the  fibre. 

Legs. — Two  or  three  turns  of  a  blue  or  ginger 
dun  hackle.  One  side  of  the  hackle  may  be  stripped 
off  for  the  ephemeridce. 

No.  2.  THE  RED  SPINNER. 
This  is  the  blue  dun  in  its  perfect  or  imago  state. 


FLY-MAKING.  221 

It  is  now  of  a  reddish  brown,  and  its  wings  are  near- 
ly transparent.  It  lives  four  or  five  days,  but  if 
the  weather  be  hot,  will  be  found  more  at  even- 
ing. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Of  bright  reddish  brown  mohair,  ribbed 
with  silk  of  same  color. 

Tail. — Two  whisks  of  a  red  cock's  hackle,  or  of 
the  red  body-feather  of  the  golden  pheasant. 

Wings. — From  a  thin,  transparent  mottled  grey 
feather  of  the  mallard  or  wood-duck. 

Legs. — Plain  red  cock's  hackle.  The  wings  of  the 
ephemeridcB  stand  upright  on  their  backs. 

No.  3.  THE  WATER  CRICKET. 

This  insect  lives  upon  small  flies,  etc.,  whose  blood 
it  sucks  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  of  the  land 
spider.  It  runs  upon  the  water  and  darts  upon  its 
prey  while  struggling  on  the  surface.  In  the  sum- 
mer months  it  is  provided  with  wings. 

Body.— Orange  mohair,  spun  on  black  silk,  and 
ribbed  with  black  silk. 

Legs  and  Wings. — A  black  cock's  hackle.  This 
fly  is  always  made  buzz.  The  wings  are  very  trans- 
parent. 

No.  4.  GREAT  DARK  DROJJE. 

This  fly  is  found  upon  the  grass  in  a  torpid  state, 
until  the  sun  warms  the  air,  when  it  takes  wing ; 
and  afterwards,  if  there  be  a  breeze,  it  is  found  upon 


222  FLY-MAKING. 

the  water.    They  are  of  great  variety  of  color,  but 
the  black  is  the  most  common. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Black  mohair  spun  thickly  on  black  silk 
Wings. — The  dun  feather  of  a  mallard  wing.   The 

wings  lie  flat  upon  its  back,  and  the  upper  fibres  of 

the  hackle  should  be  cut  off. 
Legs. — A  dark  grizzled  hackle.    This  is  a  late  fly. 

No.  5.  COW-DUNG  FLY. 

This  fly  is  to  be  found  throughout  the  year.  It 
is  most  abundant  in  March,  and  during  a  high  wind 
it  is  blown  upon  the  water.  The  color  of  the  male 
is  a  tawny  yellow ;  that  of.  the  female  a  greenish 
brown. 

Male. — Imitation. 

Body. — Yellow  and  light-brown  mohair  mixed, 
spun  on  light  brown  silk. 

"Wings. — The  wing  feather  of  the  brown  thrush, 
or  of  the  rail  (corncrake). 

Legs. — A  ginger-colored  hackle. 

Female. — Olive-colored  mohair  body;  wings  and 
legs  the  same.  The  wings  lie  flat,  and  the  upper 
hackles  should  be  cut  off. 

No.  6.  PEACOCK  FLY. 

This  is  a  small  beetle,  very  abundant  on  warm 
summer  days.  It  often  falls  upon  the  water  in  its 
flight,  or  is  blown  upon  it  by  the  wind.  It  is  highly 


FLY-MAKING.  223 

praised  by  English  writers,  and  is  described  by 
Arundo,  in  "  Practical  Fly-Fishing,"  as  "  the  little 
chap." 

Imitation. 

JBody. — Copper-colored  peacock's  herl. 
Wings. — The  darkest    part   of  a  robin's   wing- 
feather. 

Legs. — A  dark  purple-dyed  hackle. 

No.  7.  MARCH  BROWN. 

This  ephemera  is  the  next  in  season  after  the  blue 
dun.  It  is  a  handsome  and  attractive  fly,  and  is 
eagerly  devoured  by  the  trout.  The  male  is  of  a 
chocolate  color,  and  the  female  a  greenish  brown. 
It  lives  three  or  four  days,  and  then  changes  into  the 
great  red  spinner. 

Imitation. 

JBocfy. — Sandy-brown  mohair,  ribbed  over  with 
olive  silk.  • 

Tail. — Two  fibres  of  a  brown  hen's  feather. 
Wings. — From   the   mottled   wing-feather    of  a 
brown  hen,  which  may  be  found  of  the  exact  shade. 

Legs. — A  brown  hen's  hackle,  or  the  small  brown 
body-feather  of  the  widgeon. 

No.  8.  GREAT  RED  SPINNER. 

This  is  the  metamorphosis  of  the  March  brown, 
and  may  be  used  on  warm  evenings  through  the 
season.  It  is  a  very  excellent  fly. 


224  FLY-FISHING. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Orange  and  brown  mohair  mixed,  ribbed 
with  fine  gold  twist. 

Tail. — Two  fibres  of  a  bright  amber  red  hackle,  or 
the  body-feather  of  the  golden  pheasant,  which  is  a 
strong,  durable  feather  for  this  purpose,  and  may  be 
found  from  a  bright  yellow  to  deep  red. 

Wings. — Light-colored  feather  from  the  robin's 
wing. 

Legs. — A  bright  amber  red  hackle. 

No.  9.  SAND  FLY. 

This  fly  comes  from  a  water  larva,  and  is  one  of 
the  best  flies  which  can  be  used  during  April  and 
May.  Its  wings  are  long  and  full,  and  lie  flat  upon 
its  back. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Sandy-colored  mohair,  spun  on  silk  of  the 
same  color. 

Wings. — From  jthe  wing-feather  of  the  brown 
thrush,  or  the  mottled  brown  feather  of  a  young  hen. 

Legs. — A  light  ginger  hackle.  Cut  off  the  upper 
fibres  of  the  hackle,  that  the  W7ings  may  lie  flat. 

No.  10.  THE  STONE  FLY. 

This  fly  also  comes  from  a  water  larva.  It  is 
heavy  in  its  flight,  but  runs  with  great  rapidity,  and 
is  generally  found  in  streams,  amongst  the  stones  or 
close  to  the  sides  of  the  water.  Its  body  is  nearly 
half  an  inch  in  length. 


FLY-FISHING.  225 

Imitation. 

Body. — Brown  and  yellow  mohair  mixed,  and 
ribbed  with  yellow  silk. 

Tail. — TWO  strands  of  brown  hen's  wing. 

Wings. — From  the  mottled  feather  of  a  brown  hen 
made  full,  and  to  lie  flat. 

Legs. — A  grizzled  hackle. 

No.  11.  THE  GKAVEL  BED,  OR  SPIDER  FLY. 

This  fly  is  found  only  in  running  waters,  but 
where  it  is  found  it  is  very  numerous.  It  may  be 
used  all  day,  and  is  a  very  delicate  fly.  It  will  raise 
fish  in  clear  water  when  no  other  fly  will. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Lead-colored  silk  thread,  with  which  the 
fly  is  tied.  Fine  and  thin. 

Wings. — From  an  under  covert  feather  of  the 
wood-cock's  wing.  To  lie  flat. 

Legs. — Two  turns  only  of  a  black  hackle. 

No.  12.  THE  GRANNOM,  OR  GREEN  TAIL. 

This  fly  comes  from  a  water  larva,  and  is  found 
chiefly  at  morning  and  at  evening.  The  green  tint 
of  its  body  is  derived  from  the  color  of  the  bag  of 
eggs  near  the  tail.  There  are  a  number  of  species 
in  the  United  States,  and  in  some  the  bag  of  eggs  is 
yellow,  and  in  some  orange.  The  green  is  the  most 
used. 

10* 


226  FLY-FISHING. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Work  in  a  little  tuft  of  green  at  the  tail, 
and  then  finish  the  body  of  sandy-colored  mohair. 

Wings. — A  light  brown  mottled  hen's  feather,  to 
lie  flat. 

Legs. — A  pale  ginger  hackle. 

The  body  of  the  male  is  yellow,  without  the  green 
tag. 

No.  13.  THE  YELLOW  DUN. 

This  beautiful  ephemera  is  one  of  our  very  best 
flies.  There  are  several  varieties,  and  some  of  them 
are  an  inch  in  length.  It  changes  to  a  spinner,  very 
similar  to  the  metamorphosis  of  the  blue  dun  (No.  2), 
only  lighter  and  yellower,  and  should  be  so  tied. 

Imitation. 

JSody. — Yellow  mohair  spun  very  thinly  on  pale 
blue  silk. 

Wings. — From  the  lightest  part  of  the  feather  of 
a  robin's  wing. 

Legs. — A  pale  yellow  dun  hackle. 

This  fly  must  not  be  finished  off  at  the  head  with 
the  blue  silk,  but  a  yellow  must  be  tied  in  for  the 
purpose  when  the  body  is  done. 

No.  14.  THE  IRON  BLUE  DUN. 

This  is  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  ephemeridcB, 
but  not  the  least  useful.  It  lives  only  two  or  three 
days  before  changing  its  coat,  when  its  body  becomes 
almost  white,  and  its  wings  transparent. 


FLY-FISHING.  227 

Imitation. 

JBody. — Pale  blue  mohair,  very  thinly  spun  on 
reddish-brown  silk,  with  which  the  head  must  be 
finished. 

Tail. — Two  whisks  of  the  yellow  body-feather  of 
the  golden  pheasant. 

Wings*. — From  the  wing-feather  of  the  blue-bird. 

Legs. — A  very  small  yellow  dun  hackle. 

N"o.  15.  THE  JENNY  SPINNER. 

This  is  the  name  of  the  iron  blue  dun  (No.  14)  in 
his  new  dress,  in  which  be  lives  four  or  five  days. 
It  is  a  killing  fly  towards  evening  in  clear  water  in 
summer.  There  are  in  the  United  States  at  least 
some  hundred  varieties  of  these  small  ephemeridce, 
of  every  conceivable  color,  and  the  skilful  dresser 
will  take  pleasure  in  tying  them,  using  the  feathers 
of  the  small  domestic  and  foreign  birds  which  he  can 
procure.  Such  are  the  sky-blue,  the  orange  dun,  the 
pale  evening  dun,  the  July  dun  (blue  and  yellow), 
the  whirling  blue  dun,  and  the  little  pale  dun. 

Imitation. 

Body. — White  floss  silk,  tied  at  head  and  tail 
with  brown  silk  thread. 

Tail. — Two  whisks  light  dun  hackle. 

Wings. — From  a  blue-bird's  wing-feather 

Legs. — A  very  small  and  very  light  dun  hackle, 
nearly  white. 


228  FLY-FISHING. 

No.  16.  THE  LITTLE  YELLOW  MAY  DUN. 

This  is  another  of  the  ephemeridce,  and  a  most 
useful  one  to  the  fisherman.  It  is  not  so  small  as  the 
preceding  one  (No.  14),  and  changes  to  a  very  light 
red  spinner. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Pale  ginger-colored  mohair,  ribbed  with 
yellow  silk. 

Tail. — Two  whisks  of  yellow,  or  ginger  hackle. 

Wings. — Mottled  feather  of  the  mallard,  dyed  a 
greenish  yellow. 

Legs. — Light  ginger  hackle,  dyed  the  same  color 
as  the  wings. 

No.  17.  THE  BLACK  GNAT. 

Every  fisherman  is  familiar  with  this  little  insect, 
and  has  taken  trout  with  their  mouths  and  throats 
filled  with  them.  It  is,  however,  not  properly  a  gnat, 
but  a  midge. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Black  ostrich  herl. 
Wings. — The  darkest  feather  of  a  robin's  wing. 
Legs. — A  black  hackle. 

The  black  midge  should  be  made  similarly,  but 
with  a  thin  black  silk  body. 

No.  18.  THE  OAK  FLY,  ALSO  THE  DOWN  HEAD 

FLY,  AND  DOWN  HILL  FLY. 
This  is  a  land  fly,  and  may  be  found  upon  the 


FLY-FISHING.  229 

trunks  of  trees  or  on  posts  near  the  water.  It  is  car- 
ried on  the  water  by  the  wind,  and  is  consequently 
used  with  most  success  on  windy  days,  like  the  cow- 
dung. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Orange  floss  silk  or  mohair,  ribbed  with 
black  silk. 

Wings. — The  darkest  part  of  the  wing-feather  of 
a  curlew. 

Legs. — A  furnace,  or  red  and  black  hackle. 

No.  19.  THE  TURKEY  BROWN. 

This  ephemera  is  common  to  most  of  the  waters 
of  New  York,  and  is  found  on  nearly  all  the  Long 
Island  ponds,  where  it  is  eagerly  taken  by  the  trout. 
It  appears  about  the  middle  of  April,  and  changes 
to  a  little  dark  spinner,  which  is  a  most  killing  fly 
just  before  dusk. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Brown  mohair  ribbed  with  purple  silk. 
The  female  is  of  a  greenish  brown. 

Tail. — Two  fibres  of  the  same  feather  as  the  wings-. 

Wings. — Of  the  brown  mottled  feather  from  the 
back  of  a  ruffed  grouse. 

Legs. — A  red-brown  hackle. 

No.  20.  THE  LITTLE  DARK  SPINNER. 

This  is  the  perfect,  or  Imago,  state  of  the  turkey 
brown  (No.  19)  just  described.  It  is  as  fragile  as  it 


230  FLY-FISHING. 

is  beautiful,  and  can  hardly  be   touched   without 
maiming  or  killing  it. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Light  reddish-brown  floss  silk,  ribbed 
with  purple. 

Tail. — Three  whisks  of  a  light  dun  hackle. 

"Wings. — From  a  feather  of  the  robin's  wing,  or 
the  under  feather  of  a  young  grouse's  wing. 

Legs. — A  light  dun  hackle. 

No.  21.  THE  YELLOW  SALLY. 

This  is  a  water  fly,  which  continues  in  season  for 
four  or  five  weeks  from  the  middle  of  May.  Its 
wings  are  transparent,  and  lie  close  and  flat.  It  is 
sometimes  called  "  the  flat  yellow." 

Imitation. 

Body. — Yellow  mohair,  ribbed  with  pale  green  silk 
thread. 

Wings. — White  pigeon  wing,  stained  a  pale 
greenish  yellow. 

Legs. — A  white  hackle,  dyed  the  same  color  as 
the  wings. 

No.  22.  THE  FERN  FLY. 

The  two  most  common  varieties  of  this  fly  are 
known  as  the  "Soldier"  and  the  "Sailor."  The 
wing  coverings  of  one  are  red,  and  of  the  other  blue. 
They  are  both  well  taken  by  the  trout  until  the  end 
of  July,  on  hot  days. 


FLY-FISHING.  231 


Imitation. 

Body. — Orange  floss  silk. 

Wings. — The  darkest  part  of  a  robin's  wing- 
feather. 

Legs. — A  red  cock's  hackle. 

Two  or  three  fibres  of  some  blue  feather  may  be 
tied  in  with  each  wing,  on  the  outside,  or  of  red,  to 
represent  the  wing-covers. 

No.  23.  THE  ALDER  FLY. 

This  fly  comes  from  a  water  nympha.  It  lays  its 
eggs  upon  the  leaves  of  trees  which  overhang  the 
water,  whence  they  drop  into  it.  It  is  in  season  dur- 
ing May  and  June. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Peacock's  herl  tied  with  black  silk. 
Wings. — From  a  feather  of  a  brown  hen,  made 
large  and  full. 

Legs. — A  black  cock's  hackle. 

No.  24.  THE  GKEEX  DRAKE. 

This  is  the  most  famous  of  all  the  English  ephe- 
meridaz.  It  is  a  large  and  beautiful  fly,  but  is  not 
found,  so  far  as  known,  except  in  running  waters. 
For  ordinary  streams  and  ponds  here  the  "little 
yellow  May  dun"  (No,  16)  will  be  found  preferable. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Straw-colored  floss  silk,  ribbed  with 
brown  ;  the  head  of  peacock's  herl. 


232  FLY-FISHING. 

Tail— Three  hairs  from  a  fitch's  tail. 

Wings.— From  a  mottled  feather  of  the  mallard, 
stained  a  greenish  yellow. 

The  female  of  this  fly  changes  to  the  grey  drake, 
and  the  male  to  the  black  drake.  They  are  little 
used. 

No.  25.  THE  HAZEL  FLY. 

This  is  a  beetle,  the  pupa  of  which  inhabits  the 
earth.  It  is  found  upon  poplar-trees,  and  a  species 
very  similar  is  found  upon  fern.  It  is  blown  upon 
the  water,  and  is  to  be  used  on  windy  days. 

Imitation. 

Body. — A  black  ostrich  herl  and  a  peacock's  herl, 
twisted  together  on  red  silk. 

Wings  and  Legs. — Made  buzz  with  a  dark  fur- 
nace hackle. 

As  this  fly  never  alights  upon  the  water,  it  is  gene- 
rally seen  struggling  with  its  wings  in  motion. 

No.  26.  THE  DARK  MACKEREL. 

This  is  the  imago,  or  perfect  state  of  another  kind 
of  green  drake,  darker  than  No.  24.  It  is  found  in 
some  waters  where  the  true  green  drake  is  not,  and 
is  used  in  its  stead. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Dark  mulberry  floss  silk,  ribbed  with  fine 
gold  twist. 

Tail. — Three  hairs  from  a  fitch's  tail. 


FLY-FISHING.  238 

Wings. — From  the  brown  mottled  feather  of  the 
mallard,  which  hangs  from  the  back  over  a  part  of 
the  wing. 

Legs. — A  dark  purple  hackle. 

No.  27.  THE  GOLD-EYED  GAUZE  WING. 

This  beautiful  insect  is  not  found  upon  all  waters, 
but  where  it  is,  affords  great  sport  on  windy  days. 
It  may  be  used  from  June  till  the  end  of  September. 

Imitation. 

JBody. — Pale  yellowish  green  floss  silk,  tied  with 
silk  of  the  same  color. 

Legs. — Pale  blue  dun  hackle,  with  one  or  two 
turns  in  front  of  the  wings. 

"Wings. — A  pale  transparent  mallard,  or  wood- 
duck  feather,  stained  slightly  green.  Very  full,  long, 
and  to  lie  flat. 

No.  28.  THE  WREN-  TAIL. 

This  is  a  species  of  hopper,  sometimes  called  "ant 
hoppers."1"1  They  hop  and  fly  for  about  twenty  yards, 
and  sometimes  drop  short  and  fall  upon  the  water. 
The  light  and  dark  brown,  and  the  greenish  blue, 
are  the  most  common. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Ginger-colored  mohair  ribbed  with  fine 
gold  twist,  short. 

Wings  and  Legs. — Feather  from  a  wren's  tail, 
wound  on  hackle- wise. 


231  FLY-FISHING. 

A  brown  mottled  hackle  may  be  used  in  place 
of  the  wren's  tail  feather. 

No.  29.   THE  RED  ANT. 

There  are  many  species  of  these  winged  ants,  and 
they  are  familiar  to  every  one.  The  red  and  black 
are  those  generally  used. 

Imitation. 

JBody. — Copper-colored  peacock's  herl,  wound 
thickly,  for  two  or  three  turns,  at  the  tail  to  form  a 
tuft ;  the  rest  of  the  body  dark  red  silk. 

Wings. — From  the  lightest  part  of  a  robin's  wing. 
To  lie  flat. 

Legs. — A  small  red  hackle. 

The  black  ant  is  made  of  black  ostrich  herl 
body;  wings  from  the  darkest  part  of  a  robin's 
wing ;  legs,  a  small  black  hackle. 

No.  30.  THE  SILVER  HORNS. 

This  fly  is  an  excellent  one  until  the  end  of 
August,  principally  in  showery  weather. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Black  ostrich  herl  tied  with  black  silk, 
and  trimmed  down. 

Wings. — A  wing-feather  of  the  black-bird. 

"Legs. — Small  black  cock's  hackle. 

Horns. — Two  strands  of  the  grey  feather  of  the 
mallard. 

The  male   has  black  horns.    To  make  it  buzz, 


FLY-FISHING.  235 

the  body  is  to  be  ribbed  with  silver  twist  upon  the 
black  ostrich  herl,  and  a  black  hackle  wrapped  the 
whole  length  of  the  body. 

No.  31.  THE  AUGUST  DUN. 

This  fly  conies  from  a  water  nympha,  lives  two 
or  three  days,  and  changes  to  a  red  spinner.  This 
fly  is  for  August  what  the  March  brown  is  for 
March. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Brown  floss  silk,  ribbed  with  yellow  silk 
thread. 

Tail. — Two  hairs  from  a  fitch's  tail. 

Wings. — Feather  of  a  brown  hen's  wing. 

Legs. — Plain  brown  hackle. 

Made  buzz  with  a  grouse  feather,  in  place  of 
wings  and  legs 

No.  32.  THE  ORANGE  FLY. 

This  is  an  Ichneumon  Fly.  It  is  furnished  with  an 
ovipositor,  for  the  purpose  of  piercing  the  skins  of 
caterpillars,  in  which  it  deposits  its  eggs,  the  grub 
from  which  grows  in,  and  ultimately  kills,  the  insect 
in  which  it  was  hatched. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Orange  floss  silk  tied  on  with  black. 
Thick  and  square  at  the  tail. 

Wings. — Darkest  part  of  a  robin's  wing. 
Legs. — A  very  dark  furnace  hackle. 


236  FLY-FISHING. 

No.  33.  THE   CINNAMON  FLY. 

This  fly  comes  from  a  water  pupa.  It  should  be 
used  after  a  shower,  and  on  a  windy  day.  It  is  a 
very  killing  fly  on  some  waters,  and  somewhat  re- 
sembles the  land  fly,  but  does  not  appear  so  early. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Fawn-colored  mohair,  tied  on  silk  of  the 
same  color. 

Wings. — Feather  of  a  yellow-brown  hen's  wing, 
rather  darker  than  the  thrush  feather.  To  lie  flat. 

Legs. — A  ginger  hackle. 

The  pinnated  grouse's  small  wing-feather,  dyed  a 
pale  cinnamon  with  madder  and  copperas,  is  an  ex- 
cellent feather  for  the  wings  of  this  fly,  and  of  No. 
34. 

No.  34.  THE  CINNAMON  DUN. 

This  ephemera  is  found  in  abundance  on  the 
streams  in  Pike  Co.,  Pa.,  and  in  some  other  locali- 
ties. It  is  similar  to  the  little  yellow  May  dun,  but 
is  of  a  bright  cinnamon  color,  and  comes  on  in  July 
and  August.  Its  metamorphosis  is  of  a  light  red 
brown,  with  wings  almost  white. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Red  and  yellow  mohair  spun  on  yellow 
silk,  and  ribbed  with  the  same. 

Wings. — The  light  feather  of  a  grouse's  wing, 
dyed  cinnamon  with  madder,  or  the  feather  of  a 
curlew's  wing. 


FLY-FISHING.  237 

Tail. — Two   fibres   of  the   same   feather  as  the 
wings. 
Legs. — A  ginger  hackle. 

No.  35.  THE  BLUE  BOTTLE. 

This  and  the  house  fly  become  blind  and  weak  in 
September,  are  frequently  blown  upon  the  water, 
and  afford  good  sport.  They  may  be  used  especially 
after  a  frosty  night,  but  are  not  unsuccessful  earlier 
in  the  season. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Bright  blue  mohair,  tied  with  light  brown 
silk.  The  body  thick. 

Wings. — The  lightest  leather  of  a  robin's  wing. 

Legs. — Two  turns  of  a  black  hackle. 

The  House  Fly  may  be  made  thus  : 

Body. — Light  brown  and  green  mohair  mixed. 

Wings. — Light-colored  feather  from  a  robin's 
wing. 

Legs. — A  blue  dun  hackle. 

Head. — Green  peacock's  herl,  with  two  or  three 
turns  under  the  wings. 

No.  36.  THE  RED  PALMER. 

This  is  the  caterpillar  of  the  garden  tiger-moth. 
This  palmer  is  found  early  in  the  spring,  and  is 
chiefly  recommended  for  streams  where  trees  over- 
hang the  water.  Cuvier  states  that  this  caterpillar 
changes  its  skin  ten  times  during  its  growth. 


238  FLY-FISHING. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Peacock's  herl,  with  a  red  cock's  hackle 
wrapped  the  whole  length,  and  tied  with  red  silk. 

Ronalds's  palmers  are  made  long,  and  have  a 
second  hook  tied  in  about  half  way  up  the  body.  It 
is  a  killing  fly  in  streams,  and  of  little  use  in  ponds 
in  the  United  States. 

No.  37.  THE  BROWN  PALMER. 

The  preceding  remarks  on  the  red  palmer  apply 
equally  to  this  and  the  succeeding  description.  The 
white  and  yellow  are  equally  successful  on  wooded 
streams,  and  they  all  may  be  used  through  the 
season. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Light  brown  mohair  spun  on  brown  silk, 
and  a  brown  cock's  hackle  wrapped  all  the  way  up. 

"No.  38.   THE  BLACK  AND  RED  'PALMER. 

Imitation. 

Body. — Black  ostrich  herl,  ribbed  with  gold 
twist,  and  a  red  cock's  hackle  wrapped  over  it. 

The  feather  at  the  shoulder  should  be  a  large  fur- 
nace hackle,  and  the  herl  should  be  thickest  there. 
Show  the  gold  twist  clearly  at  the  tail. 


FLY-FISHING.  239 


THE    ART     OP    DYEING     FEATHERS,     HACKLES,     PIG'S 
WOOL,  AND   MOHAIR,  SUITABLE    COLORS   FOR   FLIES. 

IT  is  a  great  advantage  to  the  fly-fisherman  to  pos- 
sess the  knowledge  of  dyeing  his  materials,  as  it  is 
by  no  means  easy  to  procure  them  at  all  times  of 
the  desired  color.  It  is,  besides,  an  amusement  and 
an  inducement  to  study  the  colors,  sizes,  and  habits 
of  the  insects  which  he  wishes  to  imitate.  The 
colors  for  salmon-flies  should  be  as  rich  and  brilliant 
as  possible ;  those  for  trout  are  of  soberer  hues. 
Hackles  should  be  selected  with  much  care,  of  fine 
fibre,  of  even  taper.  White  hackles  are  requisite 
for  yellow,  orange,  blue,  and  green ;  red  hackles  for 
claret,  red,  brown,  and  olive.  They  should  be 
washed  in  soap  and  water  before  dyeing,  and  tied 
in  small  bunches  for  convenience  of  handling. 

It  is  important  in  dyeing  all  kinds  of  feathers  to 
dress  them  thoroughly.  They  should  be  rinsed  in 
clean  water  when  taken  from  the  dye,  wiped  as  dry 
as  possible,  and  dressed  with  the  hand  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  fibres  until  dry.  This  gives  them  a 
smoothness  and  gloss  which  can  be  given  in  no 
other  way. 

Naturally-colored  feathers  are  perhaps  preferable, 
as  a  general  thing,  for  trout-flies;  but  there  are 
some  which  cannot  be  had  of  the  proper  color,  and 
for  salmon-flies  the  dyer's  art  is  indispensable. 


240  FLY-FISHING. 

To  DYE  YELLOW. 

Put  two  table-spoonfuls  of  ground  alum,  and  one 
tea-spoonful  of  cream  of  tartar  into  a  pint  of  water. 
When  perfectly  dissolved  and  boiling,  put  in  the 
feathers,  hackles,  or  hair,  and  simmer  for  half  an 
hour.  Take  them,  from  this  mordant  bath,  and  put 
them  in  the  yellow  dye,  made  by  infusing  a  table- 
spoonful  of  ground  turmeric  in  a  pint  of  water,  and 
immersed  until  the  color  is  extracted. 

Boil  until  the  color  is  deep  enough,  and  then  wash 
them  in  clean  water.  Dry,  and  dress  them  as 
directed. 

There  are  several  materials  for  yellow  dyes,  such 
as  fustic,  quercitron  bark,  yellow  wood,  Persian  ber- 
ries, and  weld  ;  but  turmeric  is  the  best  for  the  pur- 
pose. 

To  DYE  OKANGE. 

To  produce  orange  the  feathers  or  other  material 
should  be  first  dyed  yellow,  according  to  the  pre- 
vious recipe.  They  should  then  be  boiled  in  a  dye 
made  with  madder  and  a  small  quantity  of  cochineal, 
until  the  requisite  shade  is  obtained. 

To  DYE  SCARLET. 

Make  a  strong  infusion  of  cochineal,  put  in  a  few 
drops  of  muriate  of  tin,  which  will  make  a  crimson, 
and  then  put  in  a  little  cream  of  tartar,  which  will 
make  a  clear  scarlet.  The  proportions  in  weight 
are  one  part  of  muriate  of  tin  to  two  parts  of  cream 
of  tartar.  It  is  best  to  boil  the  feathers  first  in  the 


FLY-FISHING.  241 

solution  of  alum.     Simmer  them  until  the  color  is 
obtained. 

To  DYE  CRIMSON. 

Boil  the  materials  to  be  dyed  in  a  solution  of  alum 
and  cream  of  tartar,  for  half  an  hour ;  bruise  two 
table-spoonfuls  of  cochineal,  and  simmer  them  in 
water  until  the  color  is  extracted. 

Take  the  materials  from  the  alum  water,  and  boil 
them  in  the  cochineal  liquor  until  you  have  the  color 
you  wish. 

Wash  them  in  clean  water,  and  if  feathers,  dress 
them  until  dry. 

To  DYE  BKOWX. 

Brown  may  be  procured  by  boiling  walnut  shells 
to  a  strong  solution,  and  of  a  more  chestnut  hue  by 
boiling  in  a  bath  composed  of  a  small  handful  each 
of  sumach  and  alder  bark,  boiled  in  half  a  pint  of 
water,  with  half  a  drachm  of  copperas. 

To  DYE   BLUE. 

Boil  your  material  in  the  solution  of  alum  and 
tartar  already  described. 

Then  make  a  blue  dye  by  dissolving  the  prepared 
indigo  paste  in  water,  the  quantity  of  which  must 
depend  upon  the  color  you  wish  to  produce.  Boil 
until  you  have  the  shade  you  desire. 

The  prepared  indigo  paste  is  made  by  dissolving 
indigo  in  oil  of  vitriol  and  water  in  a  well  stoppered 
11 


242  FLY-FISHING. 

bottle,  but  it  is  some  trouble  to  prepare,  and  may 
be  had  already  made  at  a  dyer's. 

It  requires  a  white  ground  to  produce  a  good 
blue. 

To  DYE  PURPLE  OR  VIOLET. 

First  dye  your  materials  blue  and  let  them  diy, 
according  to  the  recipe  already  given.  Then  bruise 
a  couple  of  table-spoonfuls  of  cochineal,  which  boil 
until  the  color  is  extracted;  then  put  in  the  blue 
hackles,  or  other  feathers,  and  simmer  them  over 
the  fire  until  the  purple  is  obtained. 

Wash  and  dress  as  before  directed. 

To  DYE  CLARET. 

Bruise  a  handful  of  nutgalls  and  boil  them  half  an 
hour,  with  a  table-spoonful  of  oil  of  vitriol  in  half 
a  cup  of  water.  Put  in  your  material  and  boil  for 
two  hours ;  add  a  piece  of  copperas  the  size  of  a 
walnut,  arid  a  little  pearl  ashes.  Boil  until  a  fine 
bright  claret  is  produced. 

Wash  and  dress  as  before. 

To  DYE  BLACK. 

Boil  two  handfuls  of  logwood  with  a  little 
sumach  and  elder  bark  for  an  hour ;  put  in  the 
hackles  or  feathers,  and  boil  very  gently.  Put  in  a 
little  bruised  copperas,  a  little  argil,  and  some  soda ; 
leave  the  feathers  in  for  some  hours  with  a  gentle 
heat,  then  wash  the  dye  well  out  of  them,  dry  and 


FLY-FISHING.  243 

dress  tbera.    The  argil  and  soda  must  be  used  spar- 
ingly. 

To  DYE  LAVENDER,  OR  BLUE   Dux. 

Boil  ground  logwood  with  bruised  nutgalls  and 
a  little  copperas.  The  shade  of  color  may  be  varied 
by  using  more  or  less  of  the  materials. 

You  may  have  grey,  and  duns  of  various  shades, 
by  boiling  with  the  logwood  a  little  alum  and  cop- 
peras. 

To  DYE  GREEN. 

Dye  your  material  a  light  shade  of  blue  first, 
according  to  the  directions  for  that  color  ;  then  put 
them  into  the  yellow  dye,  and  examine  them  fre- 
quently while  boiling  to  see  that  you  get  the  proper 
shade.  You  may  get  any  shade  of  green  by  dyeing 
the  blues  darker  or  lighter,  and  then  boiling  them  a 
shorter  or  longer  time  in  the  yellow  dye. 

The  blue  and  yellow  dyes  may  also  be  mixed  to 
produce  any  shade  of  green,  but  this  requires  judg- 
ment and  considerable  experience,  and  the  result  is 
not  superior.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  blue 
becomes  developed  by  time,  and  the  color  should  be 
at  first  more  yellow  than  is  required. 

To  DYE  A  MALLARD'S  FEATHER  FOR  THE   GREEN 
DRAKE,  AND  LITTLE  YELLOW  MAY  DUN. 

Boil  the  feathers  in  the  mordant  bath  of  alum 
already  described. 
Then  boil  them  in  an  infusion  of  fustic  to  produce 


2-i-i  FLY-FISHING. 

a  yellow,  and  subdue  the  brightness  of  this  yellow 
by  adding  copperas  to  the  infusion. 

It  is  better  to  add  a  little  of  the  indigo  paste  to 
this  dye.     It  gives  a  brighter,  clearer  tone  of  color. 

To  DYE  GUT. 
An  Azure,  or  Neutral  Tint. 

1  drachm  logwood, 
6  grains  copperas. 

Immerse  the  gut  2|-  to  3  minutes. 

An  Azure  Tint,  more  Pink. 

1  drachm  logwood, 
1  scruple  alum. 
Immerse  the  gut  3  minutes. 

A  dingy   Olive. 

1  drachm  logwood, 
1  scruple  alum, 
3  scruples  quercitron  bark. 
Immerse  from  2  to  3  minutes. 

A  light  Brown. 

1  drachm  madder, 
1  scruple  alum. 
Immerse  from  5  to  6  minutes. 

A  light  Yellow,  or  Amber. 

l£  scruples  quercitron  bark, 
1  scruple  alum, 


FLY-FISHING.  246 

6  grains  madder, 
4  drops  muriate  of  tin, 
1  scruple  cream  of  tartar. 
Immerse  2£  minutes. 

An   Olive  Dun. 

Make  a  strong  infusion  of  the  outside  brown 
leaves  or  coating  of  onions,  by  allowing  the  ingre- 
dients to  stand  warm  by  the  fire  for  ten  or  twelve 
hours. 

When  quite  cold  put  the  gut  into  it,  and  let  it  re- 
main until  the  hue  becomes  as  dark  as  may  be 
required. 

All  the  above  dyes  for  gut  are  to  be  used  cold. 

In  "  Game  Fish  of  North  America,"  are  to  be 
found  the  names  and  descriptions,  and  methods 
of  tying  many  American  salmon  and  trout  flies  not 
known  in  England.  It  has  not  been  considered 
worth  while  to  reproduce  them  here. 


246  FLY-FISHING. 


ARTIFICIAL  BAIT  AND  FLY-FISHING. 

IN  fly-fishing,  a  rod,  and  a  good  rod,  is  one  of  the 
prime  requisites,  upon  the  excellence  of  which  de- 
pends, in  a  great  measure,  the  successful  exercise  of 
the  angler's  skill.  An  excellent  rod  may  be  made  of 
different  materials  and  in  different  manners,  a  choice 
among  which  will  depend  upon  fancied,  more  than 
real  superiority ;  but  each  writer  has  his  favorites, 
and,  if  able,  is  entitled  to  give  the  reasons  for  his 
preference. 

Fly-fishing  is  mainly  confined  to  salmon  and  trout- 
fishing  ;  for  these,  essentially  different  implements  are 
required ;  for  the  long  casts  and  heavy  play  of  the 
former,  amid  the  rapids  and  cascades  of  the  foaming 
river,  a  stout,  stiff,  two-handed  rod  is  requisite ; 
while  for  the  feebler  efforts  and  shorter  casts  of  the 
latter,  amid  the  ripples  of  the  murmuring  brook,  or 
upon  the  placid  surface  of  the  quiet  pond,  a  light, 
single-handed  rod  is  preferable. 

The  salmon-rod  should  be  as  long  and  strong  as 
the  muscles  of  the  angler  will  'enable  him  to  wield 
trenchantly  all  day  through,  and  should  have  that 
quick,  powerful  pliancy  that  will  send  the  fly  with  or 
across  the  wind  a  prodigious  distance.  It  is  ordi- 
narily made  of  ash  or  hickory  for  the  joints,  and 
bamboo,  on  account  of  its  lightness,  for  the  tip. 


FLY-FISHING.  247 

Greenbeart  has  lately  become  the  favorite  wood, 
being  now  almost  universally  employed  in  England, 
and  offers,  certainly,  some  desirable  advantages ;  but 
I  have  not  had  sufficient  experience  with  it  to  speak 
decisively  of  its  merits.  A  salmon-rod  should  be 
twenty  feet  long ;  after  giving  the  matter  due 
deliberation,  and  trying  to  reduce  every  ounce  of 
weight,  I  have  resolved  that  I  cannot  take  off  an 
inch  from  twenty  feet.  To  meet  the  objection  that 
a  weak,  small  man  must,  under  these  circumstances, 
either  give  up  the  fishing  or  the  rod,  I  would  suggest 
that  he  inure  himself  to  the  labor  by  practising, 
for  his  first  few  days  upon  the  river,  with  a  sixteen- 
foot  rod  till  his  muscles  are  strengthened,  and  then 
substituting  one  of  full  length  and  weight. 

A  sixteen-foot  rod  may  be  handled  beautifully, 
will  cast  the  fly  lightly,  will  kill  a  fish  delicately,  but 
it  will  not  enable  the  possessor  to  force  his  line 
against  or  across  a  gust  of  wind  eddying  down  the 
bank  of  the  stream,  nor  to  command  all  the  casts 
of  a  broad  river  with  facility,  neither  can  he  strike 
with  certainty,  nor  kill  his  fish  with  rapidity.  Sal- 
mon rivers  are  usually  wide,  sometimes  wild,  broken, 
and  impassable  even  for  that  wonderful  compound 
of  life  and  lightness,  the  birch  canoe,  and  cannot  be 
reached  in  every  part  except  with  a  long  line  under 
perfect  control ;  frequently,  the  very  spot  where  the 
fish  habit,  the  swirl  of  the  current  or  the  pitch  of 
the  cascade  is  beyond  the  limits  of  him  of  the  fif- 
teen-foot rod ;  and  if  by  the  utmost  effort  the  line 
is  cast  far  enough,  the  first  eddy  will  slack  it  up 


248  FLY-FISHING. 

and  deprive  the  weak,  pliant  rod  of  all  control 
over  it. 

Again,  where  the  favorite  pool  lies  close  by  the 
overhanging  rock,  upon  some  accommodating  ledge 
of  which  the  angler  crawls  prone  to  the  earth, 
hiding  from  the  sharp  eye  of  the  watchful  fish,  he 
can  with  a  long  rod  jerk  out  the  line,  and  twitching 
it  over  the  surface,  beguile  the  prey ;  while  with  a 
shorter  one  he  might  be  deprived  of  concealment, 
and  stand  confessed  a  laughing-stock  to  the  fish, 
dangling  a  useless  line  close  to  the  rocky  bank.  If 
the  water,  the  wind,  or  the  fish  are  strong,  the  rod 
should  be  the  same ;  although  advocating  gentle 
treatment,  there  are  times  when,  I  assure  the  reader, 
that  vigor  must  be  exerted,  and  then  twenty  feet  are 
better  than  fifteen. 

No  practical  working  rod  can  be  made  by  the  re- 
moval of  one  or  more  joints  and  the  substitution  of 
others,  to  increase  or  diminish  in  length.  There 
must  be  a  uniform  taper  consonant  with  the  length, 
which,  in  case  of  alteration,  will  be  destroyed,  and  the 
rod  rendered  harsh  or  feeble.  The  strain  will  not 
come  equally  upon  all  its  parts  ;  it  will  bend  irregu- 
larly, and  under  a  sudden  strain  is  almost  sure  to 
give  way.  I  had  a  rod  in  which  a  single  joint  could 
be  substituted  for  the  butt  and  next  joint,  which 
broke  on  an  average  of  once  a  day  so  long  as  it  was 
used  in  that  way,  and  until  the  two  joints  were  re- 
stored. 

The  elasticity  of  a  good  salmon-rod  is  like  that 
of  steel,  and  by  the  aid  of  such  an  implement  alone 


FLY-FISHING.  24S 

can  the  fly  be  propelled  to  a  proper  distance.  The 
force  must  be  transmitted  to  the  tip  end  of  the 
leader,  and  the  angler  must  feel  in  casting  that  his 
rod  is  up  to  its  share  of  the  work.  It  must  neither 
drag,  for  in  that  case  the  line  follows  the  impulse 
feebly ;  nor  be  too  stiff,  for  then  no  life  can  be  im- 
parted to  the  line.  If  the  rod  is  weak,  it  cannot 
cast  with  power ;  if  it  is  harsh,  it  cannot  cast  at  all. 
It  must  bend,  but  must  leap  back  to  its  place,  driving 
the  fly  far  ahead  of  it  by  the  strong  and  steady 
impulse. 

A  deficiency  in  vigor  is  felt  at  once  by  the  angler, 
as  a  want  of  proper  resistance  to  his  exertion,  and 
will  be  particularly  noticeable  of  a  bad  day,  or  in 
an  unfavorable  locality,  when  the  rod  will  seem  to 
double  back  and  fail  utterly  in  a  weak  disgusting 
way ;  while  too  great  stiffness  will  go  to  convince 
the  angler  that  he  is  using  a  bean-pole. 

The  single-handed  trout-rod  is  a  very  different 
affair,  much  more  difficult  both  to  make  and  handle  ; 
coarser  tools  and  tackle  will  answer  for  the  coarser 
fish,  but  nothing  less  than  the  best  material  and 
workmanship  will  enable  the  trout-fisher  to  perform 
creditably  and  successfully.  It  must  be  light  for  fine 
fishing,  not  over  ten  ounces  in  weight ;  it  must  be 
the  perfection  of  elasticity ;  it  must  have  a  certain 
strength  ;  it  must  balance  perfectly  in  the  hand  ;  in 
other  words,  it  must  be  perfection,  to  attain  which, 
requires  the  utmost  care  and  the  greatest  skill.  It 
is  a  strange  fact  that  decidedly  better  fly-rods,  and 
perhaps  better  salmon-rods,  can  be  obtained  in  Ame- 
11* 


250  FlAr-FISHING. 

rica  than  in  England,  in  spite  of  the  greater  foreign 
experience ;  a  result  that  is  due  mainly  to  our  per- 
sistent effort  after  delicacy,  and  perhaps  partly  to  the 
habits  and  size  of  our  fish ;  but  an  English  fly-rod  is 
now  regarded  as  a  clumsy  monstrosity. 

Trout-rods  are  usually  made  of  ash  with  a  bamboo 
or  Calcutta  cane-tip ;  the  latter  is  infinitely  prefer- 
able to  lance-wood,  on  account  of  its  greater  strength 
and  lightness.  The  bamboo  is  split  into  narrow 
pieces  the  length  of  one  joint  of  the  cane,  and  being 
glued  together,  is  trimmed  to  the  proper  shape. 
Three  pieces  should  be  used,  each  planed,  by  an  in- 
strument made  for  the  purpose,  into  an  obtuse  angle, 
and  fitting  neatly  together ;  if  two  pieces  only  are 
united,  the  tip  will  bend  to  different  degrees  in  dif- 
ferent directions. 

Bamboo  may  also  be  used  for  the  second  joint, 
and  makes  a  light  and  vigorous  rod,  with  ash  for 
the  butt ;  horn-beam  or  iron-wood,  and  greenheart, 
have  also  been  introduced  for  trout-rods,  but  have 
not  come  into  general  acceptance ;  lance-wood  is 
strong  but  too  heavy,  while  I  have  long  used  one  of 
red  cedar.  Rods,  after  they  have  been  exposed  to 
wet,  and  have  endured  the  strain  of  a  strong  fish,  or 
even  the  effort  of  repeated  casting,  will  warp  ;  they 
will,  if  they  are  extremely  light,  prove  deficient  in 
power ;  they  are  apt  to  be  either  heavy  or  feeble ; 
they  will,  when  the  current  or  wind  is  strong,  give 
to  it  and  lose  their  quickness  in  striking ;  in  fact, 
they  have  many  defects  common  to  one  or  the  other 
of  the  above  woods,  unless  they  are  made  of  cedar  ; 


FLY-FISHING.  251 

m  this  case  they  have  but  one  fault,  they  are  brittle. 
A  cedar  rod  never  warps ;  it  springs  to  the  hand  as 
quick  as  thought  to  the  brain ;  it  is  never  slow  or 
heavy  ;  it  cannot  be  kept  down  by  the  wind  or  the 
current ;  it  is  never  aught  but  quick,  lively,  and 
vigorous ;  it  will  cast  three  feet  farther  than  any  other 
rod  except  the  bamboo,  and  strike  a  fish  with  twice 
the  certainty.  The  wood  is  extremely  light,  but  the 
grain  is  short ;  it  never  loses  its  life,  but  will  snap 
under  a  sudden  strain. 

I  once  struck  a  salmon  with  an  eight-ounce  cedar 
trout-rod  ;  it  was  at  the  basin  below  the  Falls  of  the 
Nipisiquit,  where  the  current  of  the  river,  rushing 
against  the  calm  water  of  the  deep  pool,  creates  a 
gentle  ripple.  The  hour  was  near  midday,  and  I 
was  catching  sea-trout  in  that  profusion  with  which 
they  abound  in  the  northern  waters,  when  out  of 
the  ripple,  a  few  yards  beyond  my  reach,  rose  a 
mighty  monarch  of  the  flood,  and  turning  over  as 
he  sank,  caused  a  heavy  surge  in  the  tide. 

My  Canadian  guide,  an  enthusiastic  Frenchman, 
was  with  me,  and  our  nerves  tingled  and  our  cheeks 
flushed  at  the  sight ;  approaching  the  canoe,  a  long 
cast  brought  him  out  again,  but  only  to  miss  the 
tiny  trout-fly.  Convinced  that  he  would  rise,  I 
hastily  substituted  a  small  salmon-fly  for  the  stretcher, 
leaving  on  the  leader  the  two  small  droppers  I  had 
been  using,  and  again  carefully  cast  over  him.  Out 
he  came,  the  water  breaking  round  him  and  rolling 
away  in  miniature  circling  waves,  and  the  foam  fly- 
ing from  the  powerful  blow  of  his  tail  as  he  turned 


252  FLY-FISHING. 

down.  I  struck,  but  it  was  as  though  I  had  struck 
a  rock ;  he  darted  to  the  bottom,  making  the  rod  fly 
in  splinters  ;  at  every  surge  fresh  splinters  broke  oft 
and  fell  about  in  showers;  a  piece  of  the  lower  joint 
only  was  left,  when  feeling  for  the  first  time  really 
roused,  he  made  one  fierce  rush  and  mad  leap,  and 
the  line  not  unreeling  fast  enough  to  suit  him,  he 
disappeared  with  three  flies,  all  my  leader,  and  most 
of  my  line.  I  do  not  advise  any  one  to  fish  for  sal- 
mon with  an  eight-ounce  cedar  trout-rod. 

In  ordinary  trout-fishing,  however,  salmon  do  not 
abound  nor  come  unceremoniously  devouring  our 
baits  intended  for  their  smaller  brethren;  nor  are 
even  trout  so  extremely  numerous  but  that,  for  a 
long  summer  day's  work,  a  light  able  rod  will  be  in- 
finitely preferable  to  a  heavy  one.  A  rod  that 
weighs  fourteen  ounces  is  heavy,  and  I  have  seen 
persons  with  their  hands  or  wrists  dreadfully  swol- 
len after  a  single  day's  fishing,  and  have  had  such 
persons  assure  me  that  their  rods  were  as  light  as 
they  could  be  possibly  made.  Delicacy  to  me  is  the 
first  essential  in  trout-fishing,  whether  delicacy  of 
rod  and  tackle,  or  delicacy  of  handling  and  casting. 
Catching  a  trout  with  a  stick  and  a  string  is  not 
half  the  fun  of  catching  a  flounder,  the  latter  being 
much  more  difficult  to  lug  out  of  water ;  and  deli- 
cacy in  trout-fishing  will  bring  the  best  reward. 

With  a  bamboo  rod  you  need  use  the  wrist  alone, 
and  that  without  much  exertion;  you  can  cover 
greab  distances  and  still  control  che  line,  and  you  can 
ewitch  the  fly  under  bushes  and  in  difficult  places, 


FLY-FISHItfG.  253 

better  than  with  one  of  slower  materials.  It  is 
quick,  reliable,  vigorous,  and  light,  the  slighest 
motion  gives  the  tip  the  requisite  spring,  and  it 
answers  every  effort  of  the  hand  instantly.  It  kills 
a  fish  powerfully  and  rapidly,  and  exposure  to  wet 
neither  deadens  nor  weakens  it.  The  ordinary  hick- 
ory and  ash-joint  are  much  stronger,  but  are  logy 
in  their  action  and  far  heavier;  joints  of  red  cedar 
or  malacca  are  light,  beautiful,  and  expensive,  but 
are  almost  unattainable,  and  are,  occasionally  at  least, 
deficient  in  power  ;  and  whalebone,  for  any  part  of 
the  rod,  is  dull,  heavy,  inappropriate,  and  when 
water-soaked,  utterly  worthless.  For  these  reasons 
and  many  others — these  are  enough,  however — a 
rod  of  split  bamboo  worked  round,  is  the  best. 

Many  persons  give  the  preference  to  a  limber  rod, 
one  that  bends  in  the  middle,  and  they  can,  after 
infinite  practice,  cast  well  with  it;  in  pleasant 
weather  they  can  throw  a  light  line,  but  when  the 
storm  lowers  and  the  w^ind  blows,  or  the  current 
rages,  or  the  cast  is  very  long,  or  the  bushes  over- 
hang, then  good-bye  to  the  gentleman  with  that 
most  wretched  of  implements,  a  weak-backed  lim- 
ber rod.  Give  me  no  such  inefficient  deception  to 
break  my  wrist,  my  heart,  and  my  patience ;  as  wrell 
tell  me  that  whalebone  has  the  vigor  of  a  steel 
spring. 

The  joints  of  a  rod  are  united  in  various  ways  ; 
with  the  salmon-rod  it  is  almost  essential,  and  with 
all  rods  desirable,  to  use  splices,  but  the  custom  is  to 
indulge  the  laziness  of  ferrules.  American  ferrules 


254  FLY-FISHING. 

fit  accurately,  and  of  course  after  the  wood  is  swollen 
by  exposure  to  rain,  they  will  not  come  apart  even 
if  the  joint-ends  are  all  brass,  a  difficulty  that  can 
be  obviated  by  rubbing  them  with  mutton  tallow, 
and  loosening  them  every  night,  and  we  advise  the 
same  precaution  in  wet  weather  with  the  reel  bands. 
In  this  connection  it  may  be  well  to  tell  the  reader 
how  he  can,  with  a  little  trouble,  separate  the  fer- 
rules, no  matter  how  solid  they  may  seem  to  be  ;  in 
the  first  place  heat  them  moderately,  and  pour  a  lit- 
tle oil  round  the  joint;  then  take  two  stout  pieces 
of  string,  or  better,  braid,  about  a  foot  long,  and 
tying  the  ends  of  each  together,  wrap  one  close 
above  and  the  other  below  the  joint  in  the  contrary 
directions  ;  then  insert  a  stick  in  each  loop,  and  turn 
one  one  way,  and  the  other  the  opposite.  If  the 
bands  slip,  rub  them  with  wax. 

The  English  ferrules,  not  fitting  so  closely,  are  not 
liable  to  this  objection ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  would 
come  apart  in  use,  to  the  intense  disgust  of  the 
angler,  were  they  not  held  together  by  a  piece  of 
silk,  that,  when  they  are  set  up,  has  to  be  wound 
round  a  loop  of  brass  fastened  upon  each  for  the  pur- 
pose. This  silk  must  be  cut  every  time  the  rod  is 
taken  apart,  and  occasions  much  trouble.  The  Irish 
use  a  screw-joint,  which  is  firm  and  not  liable  to 
bind  ;  but  it  is  difficult  to  fit,  easy  to  break,  and,  in 
the  woods,  impossible  to  replace.  Among  these  plans 
the  simple  socket  has  obtained  the  preference,  and 
probably  is  entitled  to  the  distinction. 

It  is  doubtless  useless  for  me  at  this  day  to  tell  any 


FLY-FISHING.  255 

intelligent  sportsman  that  the  butt  of  a  fly-rod  must 
never  be  hollow ;  its  solidity  is  necessary  to  a  proper 
balance  ;  but  where  the  fishing  is  merely  to  be  done 
along  the  streams,  a  spear-head  that  can  be  screwed 
into  the  end  will  add  little  to  the  weight,  and  prove 
useful  driven  into  the  ground  to  hold  the  rod,  while 
the  fisherman  changes  his  flies  or  frees  them  from  a 
weed  or  bush.  On  a  trout-rod  there  should  be  no 
reel-bands,  but  a  gutta-percha  ring,  or  a  leather 
strap  and  buckle,  will  retain  the  reel  firmly,  and  ena- 
ble the  angler  to  change  its  position  at  his  pleasure, 
and  by  altering  the  balance,  rest  his  wrist.  These 
seem  trivial  matters,  but  mole-hills  are  mountains  if 
they  rest  upon  a  sore  spot.  On  a  salmon-rod  the 
reel-bands  should  be  strong,  and  about  a  foot  from 
the  end. 

There  should  be  rings  or  guides  enough  on  a  fly- 
rod  to  bring  the  strain  evenly  throughout,  and  if  one 
is  destroyed,  it  should  be  replaced  at  once,  or  a  lia- 
bility to  break  will  result.  If  rings  are  used,  they  and 
the  brass  top  should  be  large  and  fastened  on  with 
a  whipping  of  silk,  that  adds  much  strength  to  the 
wood.  Where  a  spliced  rod  is  used,  it  is  well  to 
have  a  small  ring  of  brass,  somewhat  similar  to  the 
reel-band  on  each  joint,  under  which  the  end  of  the 
splice  can  be  slipped  before  fastening  it. 

For  salmon  and  trout-fishing,  the  reel  had  better 
be  a  simple,  large  barrelled  click-reel,  as  the  music  of 
the  line,  unwinding  to  the  rush  of  these  splendid  fish, 
while  it  indicates  the  rate  of  its  diminution,  is  to  the 
angler  what  the  clarion  is  to  the  warrior,  or  the 


256  FLY-FISHING. 

hound's  bay  to  the  deer  hunter ;  but  a  multiplier,  made 
as  they  are  only  made  in  this  country,  working  with 
the  beauty  and  accuracy  of  clock-work,  is  by  no 
means  inadmissible.  A  drag  must  be  used  with  the 
multiplier,  but  a  stop  never;  the  latter  is  utterly 
useless,  and  by  slipping  unexpectedly,  may  destroy 
your  tackle.  The  reel  must  be  manufactured  with 
the  greatest  care  and  of  the  best  workmanship ;  no 
implement  is  so  worthless  if  poor,  and  none  will  bet- 
ter repay  the  sportsman  if  perfect.  In  salmon-fish- 
ing, it  is  only  in  desperate  straits  that  any  effort  is 
made  to  check  the  fish  ;  he  is  ordinarily  too  violent 
to  submit  to  such  treatment ;  otherwise,  as  the  single- 
barrelled  reel  revolves  toward  you,  it  could  not  be 
used,  as  it  cannot  in  bass-fishing. 

A  multiplier  should  have  steel  pins,  which  require 
care  and  frequent  oiling ;  the  same  reel  may  be 
used  for  bass,  and,  if  armed  with  a  drag  as  above 
stated,  in  case  of  necessity  in  salmon-fishing.  For 
both  salmon  and  bass  it  should  be  of  the  largest 
size,  and  may  be  painted  black  to  preserve  it  from 
rust,  and  to  avoid  alarming  the  fish.  The  line  will 
occasionally  catch  round  the  handle,  to  prevent 
which,  the  latter  is  sometimes  constructed  of  a  but- 
ton fitting  in  a  plate. 

All  reels  must  be  oiled  occasionally.  On  one  occa- 
sion I  proved  this  to  my  satisfaction  in  a  very  unsa- 
isfactory  way. 

The  weather  had  been  hot  and  dry  ;  the  water  had 
fallen  and  become  transparent  as  crystal ;  the  fish 
were  shy  and  cautious.  After  exhausting  my  in. 


FLY-FISHING.  257 

genuity  in  selecting  new  flies  to  suit  their  capricious 
tastes,  I  had  settled  upon  one  of  bright  yellow,  which, 
if  the  gentlemen  did  not  wish  to  eat,  they  did  seem 
to  enjoy  inspecting  ;  they  rose  to  it  freely,  and  after 
I  had  tried  in  vain  to  strike  them,  curiosity  in- 
duced me  to  keep  count  of  their  number. 

Fourteen  times  had  they  risen  and  disappeared 
uninjured  ;  fourteen  times  had  my  nerves  tingled, 
and  my  blood  started;  fourteen  times  had  sudden 
hope  turned  to  bitter  disappointment,  till  anticipa- 
tion settled  down  into  dull  despair.  Only  those  who 
have  themselves  had  such  painful  experiences  can 
appreciate  my  feelings ;  the  continual  tantalizing 
approximation  to  success,  to  be  follower!  by  agoniz- 
ing failure  ;  the  renewed  hope  that  the  next  rise 
would  result  in  the  capture  of  a  fish  ever  to  remain 
unfulfilled ;  the  desperate  effort  to  strike  quicker  or 
to  cast  more  attractively  ;  all  these  and  many  other 
feelings  swarmed  through  my  heart,  as  fish  after  fish 
approached  his  fate,  and  invariably  escaped. 

They  seemed  to  be  feeding,  as  it  is  called,  and  when 
the  fly  passed  they  rose,  and  turning  over  like  a 
porpoise  chasing  mossbunkers,  seemed  to  take  it  in 
their  mouths.  They  did  not  spring  out  of  water  in 
the  gaiety  of  reckless  play,  but  acted  as  they  would 
have  done  if  swallowing  the  natural  insect.  Not 
that  it  is  certain  that  salmon  feed  on  flies ;  but  while 
they  can  rarely  be  taken  while  playing,  they  often 
can  be  when  acting  in  a  manner  resembling  feeding. 

My  patience  not  exhausted,  for  it  never  is  while 
fish  will  rise,  I  directed  the  canoe  to  be  dropped 


258  FLY-FISHING. 

towards  the  lower  end  of  the  fishing-ground,  and 
stepped  from  it  to  a  rock  in  the  stream,  and  then 
easting  the  farthest  and  lightest  possible,  was  re- 
warded. A  magnificent  fish  rose ;  was  secured  by 
a  quick  turn  of  the  butt,  and  stung  by  the  unexpected 
pain,  fled  down  the  current.  Away  he  went,  on 
without  a  pause,  the  reel  hissing,  the  line  unwinding, 
and  darting  into  the  water,  till  having  exhausted 
seventy-five  yards  of  line,  and  being  partially  turned 
by  its  weight  and  the  resistance  of  the  click,  he 
stopped  with  a  heavy  surge,  and  heading  back,  ap- 
proached as  fast  as  he  had  fled.  Instantly  and  in- 
stinctively my  hand  fell  upon  the  handle  of  the  reel ; 
it  would  not  turn,  no  effort  could  budge  it ;  conceive 
my  feelings  now,  if  mortal  man  can  conceive  them. 
The  fish  coming  towards  us,  the  line  lying  in  a  long 
heavy  bag  behind  him,  threatening  to  sink  and  catch 
round  some  rock,  or  by  its  slacking  up  release  the 
hook ;  I  jerked  in  the  line,  thinking  a  grain  of  sand 
might  have  penetrated  between  the  plates,  and  tried 
the  handle  first  one  way,  then  the  other,  in  vain. 

This  all  passed  with  the  speed  of  thought,  but 
the  fish  was  approaching  as  quickly ;  there  was  no- 
thing left  but  calling  one  of  my  men  to  tell  him  to 
take  in  the  line,  hand  over  hand,  and  holding  it  in 
a  loose  coil,  be  prepared  to  pay  it  out  on  the  next 
rush.  Then  thinking  that  the  plates  must  be  bent, 
I  took  from  my  pocket  a  screw-driver  that  I  always 
carried,  and  unloosened  every  screw.  There  I  stood, 
grasping  in  one  hand  the  rod,  while  the  tip  bent  to 
the  motions  of  the  fish,  with  the  other  working  away 


FLY-FISHING.     '  259 

at  the  reel ;  beside  me  my  best  man,  slowly  drawing 
in  or  paying  out  the  line  as  need  must;  both  of  us 
eager,  anxious,  and  startled  at  this  new  mode  of 
killing  salmon ;  the  fish,  vigorous  as  ever,  making 
continual  and  sustained  rushes,  but  fortunately  none 
as  extended  as  his  first. 

I  had  freed  every  screw  in  the  reel,  but  without 
any  result ;  it  was  as  immovable  as  ever  ;  there  was 
no  resource  but  to  do  the  best  we  could,  in  our  origi- 
nal mode  of  proceeding,  under  the  circumstances. 
Never  before  had  a  fish  proved  himself  stronger  or 
braver ;  for  a  good  half  hour  he  kept  us  on  the 
stretch,  and  then  sulked.  Stationing  himself  in  the 
edge  of  the  current,  he  held  his  own  doggedly ;  fif- 
teen minutes  of  such  behavior  exhausted  our  pa- 
tience. If  I  tried  to  lead  him  towards  the  shore,  he 
took  advantage  of  the  eddy  to  resist ;  if  to  turn  him 
the  other  way,  he  braced  himself  against  the  current ; 
a  severe  strain,  however,  brought  him  to  the  surface, 
and  revealed  the  fact  that  he  was  not  sulking  at  the 
bottom,  but  resolutely  swimming,  head  up  stream,  in 
the  current. 

Not  a  little  surprised,  we  tossed  in  a  pebble,  then 
a  stone,  at  last  a  rock,  when,  indignant,  he  fled  down 
stream ;  fifteen  minutes  more  of  exciting  contest, 
several  rushes  when  he  was  on  the  point  of  being 
captured,  resulted  at  last  in  bringing  him  flouncing 
on  the  gaff  out  of  water.  He  only  weighed  fifteen 
pounds,  but»had  been  hooked  foul,  the  point  having 
penetrated  at  the  hard  bone  near  the  eye. 

I  then  sat  down  deliberately  to  discover  what  had 


260  '    FLY-FISHING. 

happened  to  my  reel ;  it  seemed  to  be  in  perfect 
order,  but  would  not  move ;  I  tried  to  drive  the 
shaft  out  of  its  bearing  with  the  mallet — a  heavy  club 
of  wood  used  to  kill  the  fish  after  they  are  gaffed, 
but  only  after  a  good  hour's  work  did  I  succeed  in 
separating  it,  and  found  that  for  want  of  oil  the  two 
surfaces  had  become  almost  solid.  They  were  as 
bright  as  burnished  gold,  and  had  evidently  been 
heated  by  the  first  desperate  rush  of  the  fish;  after 
being  touched  with  a  drop  of  oil  and  replaced,  they 
worked  beautifully. 

It  is  curious  to  note  how,  in  salmon-fishing,  acci- 
dents will  happen  when  the  fish  is  on  the  hook ;  if 
the  line  is  weakened,  or  the  leader  fretted,  or  the  rod 
strained,  the  weight  and  power  of  the  fish  expose 
the  weakness ;  if  anything  is  aught  but  perfect,  it 
gives  way  at  that  critical  moment.  In  trout-fishing 
you  are  apt  to  discover  the  defects  in  time,  and  in 
bass-fishing  the  tackle  is  coarse  and  strong ;  but  in 
salmon-fishing  you  first  learn  their  presence  by  their 
parting.  Never  use  a  doubtful  strand  of  gut,  or  a 
second-quality  hook;  never  tie  a  knot  without 
thoroughly  testing  it,  and  never  use  a  leader  that  is  in 
the  least  worn. 

The  best  line  by  far,  for  both  salmon  and  trout- 
fishing,  is  the  braided  silk  covered  with  a  water- 
proof preparation,  and  tapered  to  the  fineness  of  the 
gut-leader.  If  this  can  be  obtained  no  other  should 
be  thought  of,  but  if  it  cannot,  the  others  are  about 
on  a  disgraceful  par  of  mediocrity ;  the  one  that  is 
usually  praised,  that  of  silk  and  horse-hair  mixed, 


FLY-FISHING.  261 

being,  if  possible,  the  worst,  for  while  it  has  the 
weakness  of  the  horse-hair,  and  water-soaking  capa- 
city of  the  silk,  it  has  a  difficulty  especially  its  own, 
arising  frosi  the  protrusion  of  short  ends  of  hair 
that  have  broken  or  rotted  off,  and  which  are  con- 
tinually catching  the  rings  or  guides.  The  common 
silk  line  may  be  coated  with  raw  linseed  oil  by 
stretching  it  in  a  garret  or  some  place  shaded  from 
the  sun,  and  rubbing  it  with  a  cloth  soaked  in  the 
oil;  several  coats  must  be  applied,  allowing  each  to 
dry  before  a  renewal,  and  care  must  be  taken  to 
avoid  exposure  to  the  sun's  rays,  which  will  rot  the 
line.  If  thoroughly  coated  it  will  answer  nearly  as 
well  as  if  prepared  in  a  more  scientific  manner. 

The  elegance,  ease,  and  delicacy  of  casting 
depend  much  upon  the  proportions  of  the  leader  or 
casting-line,  its  length,  taper,  and  adaptation  to  the 
line  and  rod  ;  if  these  are  not  accurately  ascertained 
and  complied  with — and  they  can  only  be  determined 
by  actual  experience  with  each  rod  and  line — the 
execution  will  be  faulty.  Consequently  no  absolute 
rule  can  be  given,  but  the  length  and  taper  must  de- 
pend upon  circumstances.  The  strands  of  gut  are 
selected,  the  clearest,  roundest,  and  hardest  being 
the  best,  and  having  been  assorted  according  to  size, 
are  tied  together  with  the  double-water  knot  for  sal- 
mon-fishing, and  with  either  the  same  or  the  single- 
water  knot  for  trout.  If  it  is  desired  to  fasten  the 
droppers  between  the  knots,  the  latter  must  be  used, 
and  the  gut  must  be  well  soaked  in  warm  water 
before  it  is  tied.  Leaders  thus  prepared  and  suited 


262  FLY-FISHING. 

accurately  to  the  line  and  rod,  will  be  found  cheaper 
and  more  satisfactory  than  those  usually  sold  in  the 
shops,  and  may  be  tapered  to  any  degree  of  fine- 
ness. 

The  fly-book  in  which  the  sportsman  collects  his 
treasures — the  fairy  imitations  of  the  tiny  nymphs  of 
the  waterside — and  which  is  the  source  of  so  much 
delight  in  inspecting,  replenishing,  and  arranging 
during  the  season  that  the  trout  are  safe  from  hon- 
orable pursuit,  is  at  present  one  of  the  most  un- 
gainly and  inconvenient  things  that  he  uses.  It  is 
either  of  mammoth  size  and  filled  with  flannel 
leaves  in  which  the  moth  revel,  but  in  which  the 
hooks  will  not  stick,  or  it  is  so  ingeniously  arranged 
that  the  flies  on  one  page  entangle  themselves  in  a 
remarkably  complicated  manner  with  those  on  the 
other,  and  whenever  the  book  is  opened  do  their 
best  to  tumble  out  and  carry  with  them  such  leaders 
as  may  be  within  reach  of  their  obstinate  barbs.  It 
has  places  for  articles  that  are  not  wanted,  and  none 
for  those  that  are ;  the  disgorger,  an  instrument 
about  as  useful  to  the  angler  as  a  jack-plane,  is 
always  present,  while  a  piece  of  India-rubber  to 
straighten  gut,  or  even  silk  and  wax,  is  never  to  be 
found.  The  pockets  and  slips  are  so  arranged  that 
the  flies  cannot  be  got  at  without  much  difficulty,  or 
else  fall  out  with  perfect  ease,  and  are  invariably, 
when  released,  found  with  the  gut  so  curled  up  that 
it  cannot  be  straightened  for  some  time.  In  fact, 
the  present  style  of  fly-book  is  a  disgusting  mon- 
strosity. The  true  plan  is  to  so  arrange  the  pockets 


FLY-FISHING.  268 

that  those  of  one  page  will  come  opposite  the  hooks 
on  the  other  in  such  manner  that  there  can  be  no 
entanglement ;  of  course  the  snells  of  the  stretchers 
cannot  be  kept  straightened,  but  the  droppers,  hav- 
ing shorter  snells,  may  be  secured  under  strips  of 
paper,  and  left  at  full  length,  the  alternate  flies 
being  at  each  extremity  of  the  leaf;  and  on  the 
adjoining  leaf  in  the  pockets  may  be  similar  flies 
dressed  for  stretchers.  Or  the  droppers,  all  having 
the  gut  tied,  of  the  same  length  by  measurement, 
over  two  pins  stuck  into  the  table,  may  be  secured 
on  both  sides  of  a  separate  sheet  of  pasteboard  upon 
hooks  and  eyes,  the  fly-hook  being  fastened  into  the 
eye  and  the  loop  upon  the  hook.  The  latter  is 
attached  to  a  short  piece  of  elastic,  and  will  hold  the 
gut  straight  and  safe.  The  boards  thus  prepared 
are  carried  in  long  pockets  between  the  leaves.  The 
book,  when  filled  and  ready  for  use,  should  not  be  too 
large  to  be  carried  in  the  breast  pocket,  should  be 
composed  of  stout  parchment  or  ass  skin  that  will 
resist  the  effect  of  dampness,  covered  with  leather 
or  morocco,  and  closed  with  a  neat  clasp. 

The  best  implements  will  not  make  an  angler,  nor 
enable  him,  without  skill  that  can  only  be  obtained 
by  patience  and  perseverance,  to  perform  his  duty 
creditably  at  the  river-side.  Especially  must  he 
learn  to  cast  his  flies  far,  lightly,  and  accurately,  for 
of  all  the  angler's  qualifications  this  art  is  the  most 
necessary.  To  do  this  every  writer  on  fishing  has 
given  particular  directions,  but  in  reality  no  plan  or 
formula  can  be  made  that  is  not  subject  to  great 


264:  FLY- FISH  ING. 

modifications ;  the  following,  probably,  is  as  nearly 
correct  as  any:  After  the  line  is  lifted  from  the 
water,  which  is  done  with  a  quick  upward  motion 
of  the  wrist,  the  forearm  is  slowly  and  steadily 
raised  until  the  line  has  described  the  necessary 
curve  and  is  extended  almost  directly  behind  the 
angler,  when  a  fresh  impulse  from  the  wrist  changes 
the  direction  to  a  forward  one,  the  arm  following 
the  motion  until  the  line  has  nearly  reached  its 
limit,  when  it  is  checked  by  an  almost  imperceptible 
motion  of  the  wrist,  and  the  flies  are  made  to  drop 
on  the  water  gently  and  quivering  with  almost  the 
tremor  of  life.  This  is  the  rule  when  the  cast  is 
down  wind  and  unobstructed,  and  the  breeze  light 
and  equable,  but  in  practice  each  cast  must  be 
adjusted  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which 
it  is  made ;  the  force  that  will  drive  out  the  line  in 
a  heavy  breeze  will  not  be  vigorous  enough  if  it  dies 
down  at  the  next  cast,  and  the  line  must  be  stopped 
short  or  it  will  not  extend  itself;  on  the  other  hand, 
if  the  wind  suddenly  increases  to  a  gusty  flaw,  the 
flies  will  be  driven  into  the  water  with  a  splash,  un- 
less the  arm  is  extended  to  exhaust  the  additional 
force.  If  the  cast  is  across  a  strong  wind,  the  line 
is  lifted  against  it  and  makes  almost  a  complete  cir- 
cle, and  if  well  managed  can  be  made  to  so  resist  it 
that,  in  the  roughest  weather,  it  will  go  out  its  full 
length  and  fall  with  beautiful  delicacy.  In  a  hard 
blow  the  difficulty  will  be  in  raising  the  line,  and  at 
times  it  will  not  be  found  necessary  to  lift  the  flies 
entirely  from  the  water  before  casting,  as  the  wind. 


FLY-FISHING.  265 

by  its  pressure  on  the  bag  of  the  line,  will  carry 
them  out  of  itself.  In  fishing  a  stream  there  is 
much  to  be  learned  in  the  art  of  jerking  the  flies 
under  the  bushes,  and  tossing  the  back  line  directly 
upwards  to  avoid  entanglements,  instead  of  behind 
the  angler ;  proficiency  should  be  obtained  with  the 
left  hand  as  well  as  with  the  right,  and  in  right  and 
left  casts,  that  is  to  say,  where  the  line  is  raised 
on  either  side  and  the  flies  brought  over  either 
shoulder.  This  last  point  is  essential  if  two  anglers 
are  to  fish  from  the  same  boat,  for  each  should 
invariably  keep  the  tip  of  his  rod  over  the  shoulder 
opposite  to  his  neighbor. 

These  observations  are  probably  all  that  can  be 
placed  on  paper  with  any  advantage,  for  complete 
knowledge  can  only  be  obtained  at  the  brook  or 
pond  under  the  guidance  of  those  skilful  teachers, 
patience  and  perseverance ;  and  after  the  line  has 
been  neatly  cast  and  the  trout  lured  from  his  lair 
under  the  bank  of  the  stream,  or  his  mossy  bed  at 
the  bottom  of  the  pond,  the  ait  of  striking  him,  that 
is,  fixing  the  hook  firmly  in  his  mouth  when  he  has 
grasped  it,  can  only  be  acquired  by  actual  experi- 
ence. All  written  directions  on  this  subject  maybe 
reduced  to  two— it  is  done  with  a  motion  of  the  wrist 
and  as  quickly  as  possible ;  and  yet  if  this  art  is  not 
mastered,  the  rest  will  be  in  vain. 

There  are  few  matters  connected  with  fly-fishing 

that  have  been  more   discussed,   and  about  which 

there  has  been  more  difference  of  opinion,  than  the 

length   of  line  that  can  be  cast  with  the  ordinary 

12 


266  FLY-FISHING. 

trout-rod.  Assertions  were  common,  and  certificates 
even  have  been  given  at  public  contests  that  compe- 
titors have  cast  one  hundred  feet  of  line,  and  many 
persons,  especially  those  not  thoroughly  initiated, 
imagine  that  they  can  readily  manage  seventy,  eigh- 
ty, or  ninety.  This  matter  was  first  brought  to  a 
definite  issue  at  the  convention  of  the  Sportsman's 
Clubs  of  the  State  of  New  York,  held  in  1864,  at 
the  City  of  New  York,  when  a  handsome  prize  was 
offered  for  excellence  in  casting  the  fly,  and  rules 
were  carefully  prepared  to  govern  the  trial.  These 
rules  established  general  principles,  and  provide  an 
allowance,  for  length  and  weight  of  rod,  and  pre- 
scribe certain  distinctions  as  to  whether  the  contest 
is  only  as  to  distance,  or  as  to  delicacy  and  accu- 
racy in  addition.  In  the  instance  referred  to,  it  was 
determined  that  all  these  points  were  to  be  included. 
No  rod  was  admitted  that  weighed  over  one  pound 
or  exceeded  twelve  feet  and  six  inches  in  length  ;  a 
gut-leader  of  not  less  than  eight  feet  was  required, 
and  to  this  three  flies  were  to  be  attached.  The 
tackle  and  rods  used  by  the  competitors  were,  in 
every  instance,  those  that  they  were  accustomed  to 
use  in  actual  fishing,  the  lines  being  generally  of 
plaited  silk,  covered  with  the  ordinary  water-proof 
preparation.  The  water  was  without  a  current,  but 
ruffled  by  the  effects  of  a  light  breeze  that  died 
away  entirely  ere  the  contest  was  over,  and  the  stand 
was  a  floating  platform,  level  with  the  surface,  and 
upon  which  the  waves  occasionally  washed  so  as  to 
wet  the  feet  of  the  contestants.  The  distance  was 


FLY-FISHING.  267 

measured  along  the  water  by  a  rope  stretched  taut 
and  marked  at  every  foot  of  its  length  with  buoys ; 
parallel  with  this,  and  close  to  it,  a  staging  was 
erected,  on  which  the  spectators  could  stand  and 
observe  accurately  the  quality  of  every  cast.  The 
contestants  were  required  to  use  both  hands,  and 
were  restricted  to  five  minutes'  time.  The  judges 
were  three  of  the  most  experienced  fishermen  of  the 
State,  one  of  whom  is  celebrated  for  his.  proficiency 
in,  and  devotion  to  casting  the  fly. 

It  will  be  observed  that  several  customary  advan- 
tages were  lost  by  this  disposition,  or  brought  to  an 
equality;  there  was  no  elevation  above  the  water, 
which  is  always  difficult  to  measure,  and  which,  of 
course,  adds  immensely  to  the  distance  that  can  be 
covered ;  there  was  little  or  no  wind  to  add  to  the 
forward  motion  of  the  line,  and  no  current  to 
straighten  it  out,  or  assist,  by  a  slight  resistance  to 
the  rod,  in  recovering  it,  which,  after  all,  is  the  main 
difficulty,  as  the  line  that  can  be  lifted  and  extended 
behind  the  fisherman  will  readily  reach  its  full 
length  in  front  of  him ;  and  the  distance  cast  was 
measured,  not  along  the  line,  which  will  invariably 
sag  more  or  less,  and  may  have  its  length  consider- 
ably augmented  by  an  irregularity  in  delivery,  but 
along  the  water.  Moreover,  the  competitors  were 
required  to  make  a  neat  as  well  as  long  cast,  lest 
they  should  be  ruled  out  for  want  of  delicacy,  and 
had  to  prove  their  thorough  proficiency  by  dexterity 
with  the  left  hand. 

The  rods  used  were  respectively  of  ash,  with  a 


268  FLY-F1SHINU. 

split  bamboo  tip ;  of  cedar,  with  a  lance-wood  tip ;  and 
of  split  bamboo  throughout ;  and  were  all  of  the  best 
workmanship  and  perfect  representatives  of  their 
kinds ;  the  contestants  were  some  of  the  best  anglers 
of  the  State,  and  nothing  occurred  to  mar  the  plea- 
sure of  the  contest  or  to  disparage  the  correctness  of 
the  award.  The  prize  was  won  by  the  cedar  rod, 
which  was  twelve  feet  three  and  one-half  inches 
long,  and  weighed,  with  heavy  mountings,  fourteen 
ounces ;  and  the  greatest  distance  cast  with  the  right 
hand  was  sixty-three  feet,  although  the  allowance 
carried  the  official  return  to  sixty-eight  feet ;  and 
with  the  left  hand  the  absolute  distance  was  fifty- 
seven  feet. 

This  was  only  the  beginning  of  these  contests, 
which  have  been  kept  up  yearly  since  at  the  meet- 
ings of  the  "State  Association  for  the  protection 
of  Game,"  and  have  occasionally  been  instituted 
under  private  auspices.  Among  the  most  notable 
of  the  latter  was  one  held  in  the  Central  Park  of 
New  York  by  the  "Forest  and  Stream  "  newspaper. 
At  this  contest,  the  longest  distances  were  reached 
which  had  ever  been  officially  reported,  although 
not  up  to  the  famous  casts  made  by  Mr.  Seth  Green, 
before  the  records  were  reliably  kept  and  which  had 
been  disputed.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  plat- 
form was  raised  above  the  water,  so  that  a  correct 
comparison  with  previous  casts  cannot  bo  made. 
The  performance,  great  as  it  was,  has  since  been 
surpassed  and  now  it  is  established,  that  by  proper 
practice  and  with  a  rod  especially  adapted  to  the 


FLY-FISHING.  269 

work,  ninety  feet  can  be  cast  with  a  rod  of  eleven 
feet  in  length  and  twelve  ounces  in.  weight.  Indeed, 
the  evidence  goes  to  prove  that  the  certificate  origi- 
nally given  to  Mr.  Seth  Green,  that  he  had  covered  a 
hundred  feet  was  correct,  for  he  had  a  rod  and  line 
especially  prepared  for  casting  a  great  distance  and 
not  for  ordinary  fishing. 

The  rods  used  at  these  tournaments  are  entirely 
different  from  those  carried  by  the  angler  when  he 
is  fishing,  they  are  made  for  the  purpose,  are  top- 
heavy,  strong  and  stiff.  The  line  is  not  permitted 
to  remain  a  minute  on  the  water,  but  it  is  retrieved 
as  soon  as  cast,  and  is  simply  thrown  forward  and 
backward  in  a  manner  which  has  to  be  practised 
distinctly  from  ordinary  trout-fishing.  The  success- 
ful contestants  have  been  in  all  instances  of  late 
either  tackle  makers  or  their  employees,  who  spend 
their  time  developing  the  single  art  of  distance  cast- 
ing as  an  advertisement  of  their  business.  A  cast 
of  seventy  feet  in  the  ordinary  manner,  and  with 
the  ordinary  tools  of  trout-fishing,  surpasses  one  of 
ninety  so  obtained.  Probably  the  less  a  man  prac- 
tices at  this  specialty  as  now  understood,  the  better 
he  will  fish  in  the  stream  and  on  the  pond. 

A  line  can  be  cast  farther  without  any  fly  attached 
to  it  than  with.  The  taper  should  be  maintained 
throughout  from  the  hand  to  the  stretcher,  the  gut 
being  selected  from  strands  so  arranged,  that  the 
heaviest  shall  be  at  the  upper  end,  and  the  flies  dis- 
posed on  the  same  plan;  that  is,  the  tail  one  being 
the  smallest,  the  middle  dropper  the  next  in  size 


270  FLY-FISHIKG. 

and  the  upper  dropper  the  largest.  This  is  especi- 
ally the  rule  in  pond-fishing,  where  it  is  essential 
that  the  lure  should  fall  as  lightly  as  possible,  and 
that  can  only  be  done  when  the  size  and  length  of 
the  casting-line  accord  with  the  weight  and  size  of 
the  line. 

Some  people  will  tell  you,  and  some  writers  have 
written,  that  the  largest  fly  should  be  used  as  a 
stretcher,  in  order,  as  they  allege,  to  keep  the  line 
taut.  This  will  do  well  enough  in  narrow  streams, 
when  it  is  desirable  to  trail  the  flies  on  the  top  of 
the  water,  and  where  the  current  is  sufficiently 
strong  to  hide  the  deception  under  a  lively  ripple, 
but  in  delicate  casting  such  an  arrangement  would 
be  a  fatal  error.  The  test  of  the  fly-fisherman  is 
proved,  when  he  tries  what  he  can  do  in  a  perfect 
calm  on  a  pond.  Then  if  he  is  not  a  master,  he 
will  find  out  his  failings  to  his  own  disgusted  satis- 
faction, and  to  the  happiness  of  the  trout,  who  will 
turn  up  their  dainty  noses  at  his  want  of  skill.  If 
the  angler  cannot  send  his  three  flies  fifty  feet,  or 
indeed  sixty,  if  he  would  be  at  the  head  of  the  pro- 
fession, and  drop  them  like  three  tiny  dimples  upon 
the  placid  surface,  he  may  as  well  give  up  and  go  to 
practising.  If  the  line  falls  in  a  tangle,  or  strikes 
the  water  at  the  same  place  as  the  flies,  or  if  it  does 
not  go  straight  out  as  well  as  drop  like  a  thread  of 
gossamer,  it  might  as  well  be  kept  reeled  up,  ex- 
cept for  the  advantage  which  comes  to  every  man 
from  finding  out  his  deficiences. 

There  is  one  point  which  not  more  than  a  dozen 


FLY-FISHING.  271 

fishermen  in  this  country  understand,  and  which 
cannot  be  too  often  enforced;  that  is,  the  advisabili- 
ty of  using  small  flies,  much  smaller  than  those  or- 
dinarily found  in  the  tackle-shops  or  in  the  books 
of  anglers.  This  is  almost  a  secret,  so  little  is  it 
appreciated.  In  rough  water  or  a  heavy  ripple,  put 
on  large  flies,  but  in  confined  waters  and  on  still 
days  use  the  midges,  or  to  speak  more  correctly, 
have  the  common  flies  made  of  the  midge  size.  The 
later  the  season,  and  the  brighter  the  sky  and  stream 
or  pond,  the  more  imperative  is  this  rule.  Let  the 
young  man  write  it  on  the  tablets  of  his  heart,  and 
when  he  has  practised  he  will  never  depart  from  it. 
Obeying  it,  he  will  fill  his  creel  when  his  less  educat- 
ed brother  goes  home  fishless  and  wretched,  hav- 
ing lost  all  hope  and  faith  in  the  things  above  and 
on  the  face  of  and  in  the  waters  under  the  earth. 

A  fly  "dibbled,"  so  to  speak,  along  the  surface 
will  be  found  almost  always  more  killing  than  one 
drawn  along  underneath.  There  are  no  rules  for 
taking  trout  which  the  capricious  creatures  will  not 
often  disregard,  so  that  if  the  recognized  method 
fails,  resort  must  be  had  to  the  exception,  but  when 
it  can  be  done,  if  the  upper  dropper  is  kept  on  the 
top,  so  that  it  will  occasionally  jump  and  hop  ex- 
actly like  the  real  insect,  and  the  gut  attachment 
being  out  of  water  remain  invisible  to  the  eye  of 
the  fish,  the  latter  will  take  it  with  added  con- 
fidence. It  is  true,  that  he  will  not  invariably  suc- 
ceed in  getting  the  hook  in  his  mouth,  and  the 
angler  may  often  miss  him,  but  he  will  rise,  when 


FLY-FISHING. 

of  the  fly  used  in  the  ordinary  manner  he  will  take 
no  notice.  This  method  of  managing  the  line  is 
impossible  in  long  casting,  but  on  dark  days  and  at 
favorable  times  it  must  not  be  neglected. 

The  hackles  are  not  suited  to  very  fine  waters. 
They  are  difficult  to  cast  to  a  distance,  especially 
when  three  are  on  the  line,  and  in  clear  ponds  such 
an  apparition  would  frighten  the  trout  from  their 
"feed"  at  once.  But  in  a  boisterous,  roaring, 
foaming  mountain  cataract,  where  the  fish  cannot 
see  the  fisherman  at  all,  and  find  difficulty  in  seeing 
their  prey,  hackles  and  palmers  are  admirable. 
Winged  flies  have  largely  taken  the  place  of  both 
these  species  in  American  fishing,  but  their  true 
value  should  not  be  underestimated,  for  they  will 
often  tempt  the  trout  from  the  wild  mountain 
streams  when  the  former  will  fail. 

As  to  the  selection  of  the  gut  for  trout-fishing,  the 
same  principles  apply.  It  must  be  tapered  down 
to  the  fineness  of  a  No.  8  needle,  should  be  wholly 
unstained,  and  even  uncolored,  and  hard,  round  and 
transparent.  The  use  of  gut,  even  for  the  common- 
est fishing,  will  be  found  an  immense  advantage, 
and  will  add  greatly  to  the  bag,  or,  more  correctly, 
to  the  "pot." 

At  the  contests  spoken  of  above,  there  were  trials 
of  skill  in  casting  for  salmon  with  the  fly,  as  well  as 
for  striped  bass  in  the  fashion  necessary  along  the 
ocean  coast.  In  salmon-casting,  a  hundred  and 
thirty  feet  was  the  limit,  while  for  bass  the  long- 
est distance  covered  was  less  than  two  hundred 


FLY-FISHING.  273 

and  thirty  feet.  The  difficulty  that  prevented  a  true 
exhibition  of  what  could  be  done  with  the  bass-bait, 
was  the  necessity  of  casting  within  certain  limits. 
In  actual  bass-fishing,  accuracy  is  not  as  important 
as  in  fly-fishing,  and  much  greater  distances  are  un- 
doubtedly reached  than  those  officially  recorded. 
An  open  contest  under  liberal  conditions  has  yet  to 
be  inaugurated,  and  we  have  still  no  idea  of  what  can 
be  actually  done  in  this  direction. 

In  addition  to  the  imitations  of  the  natural  fly, 
efforts  have  been  continually  made  to  use  artificial 
representations  of  the  other  foods  and  baits  of  fish; 
exact  and  beautiful  copies  of  grasshoppers  and  frogs 
have  been  constructed  on  scientific  principles  and 
painted  the  exact  colors  of  their  prototypes,  but 
either  from  the  nature  of  the  composition  or  the 
want  of  life,  they  have  not  attained  satisfactory 
success.  It  is  doubtful  whether  ever  a  trout  was 
captured  with  such  delusions  as  imitation  grass- 
hoppers, crickets,  or  frogs,  no  matter  how  confiding 
the  fish  which  was  experimented  upon.  Although 
they  are  still  retained  in  the  tackle  shops,  they  no 
longer  find  a  place  in  the  angler's  book.  Squids 
and  spoons  are  a  different  matter,  and  have  been 
long  established  among  artificial  baits,  but  tough 
bees  and  wooden  insects  have  proved  in  vain.  Min- 
nows are  being  imitated  with  better,  although  not 
with  half  as  good  results  as  can  be  obtained  with 
the  real  bait.  But  this  is  not  always  to  be  had,  as 
sometimes  minnow  cannot  be  found,  aud  still  more 
frequently  they  cannot  be  caught.  Then  the  gutta 


274  FLY-FISHING. 

percha  copy  must  be  resorted  to  per  force,  unless 
what  is  known  as  the  "Phantom  Minnow,"  is  pre- 
ferred. The  latter  is  the  most  perfect  of  all  such 
imitations,  retaining  the  natural  skin  and  scales  of 
the  fish,  and  possibly  some  little  of  its  smell. 

The  squid,  which  is  a  Scandinavian  invention, 
although  usually  thought  to  be  American,  is  supposed 
to  be  the  original  imitation  of  the  minnow,  and  it 
remains  the  most  successful  of  them  all  in  certain 
lines  of  fishing.  In  trolling  for  blue-fish,  the  angler 
could  not  do  without  it,  and  it  has  taken  innumer- 
able striped  bass  and  Spanish  mackerel.  It  is  made 
of  many  different  materials,  that  in  use  for  blue- 
fish  being  the  common  pewter  one,  although  often 
an  ivory  squid  is  more  killing,  or  one  of  bone  or 
wood.  For  lake  trout,  the  ivory  squid  is  frequently 
better  than  any  other  bait,  and  for  Spanish  mackerel 
the  red-colored  bone,  or  one  made  from  the  heart  of 
the  red  .cedar  is  the  favorite.  The  general  rule  for 
the  employment  of  all  these  is  the  old  one  :  on  dark 
days  use  the  light-colored  squids,  and  on  bright 
days  the  dark. 

Although  to  the  artistic  angler  there  is  no  music 
like  that  of  the  old-fashioned  click-reel,  certain  im- 
provements have  been  made  in  it  which  cannot  be 
disregarded.  There  were  two  objections  to  the  an- 
cient form  of  trout  reel ;  one  was  that  the  line  was 
apt  to  catch  round  the  handle,  and  the  other  that 
the  line  would  rot  if  not  dried  after  being  used.  To 
remedy  the  former  defect,  the  handle  was  sunk  in 
the  reel  plate,  and  to  meet  the  latter  difficulty,  skel- 


FLY-FISHING.  275 

eton  reels  have  been  made.  Some  of  these  are  con- 
structed of  wire,  and  others  are  composed  of  hard 
rubber.  Having  large  barrels,  they  wind  in  quickly, 
and  while  they  have  lost  the  charm  of  music,  they 
have  added  that  of  utility.  They  have  come  into 
very  general  use,  but  if  the  angler,  while  working  his 
way  through  thick  woods,  shall  find  that  his  line 
has  unnoticed  caught  on  a  twig  and,  unreeling  from 
his  rod,  is  tangled  up  amid  trees  and  bushes  for 
fifty  feet  behind  him,  he  will  almost  wish  that  he 
had  a  click  to  give  him  timely  warning.  A  very  de- 
cided advance  has  been  made,  or  rather  promised  to 
be  made  by  the  makers,  in  the  matter  of  the  plates 
on  which  the  reels  are  set.  Heretofore  these  have 
been  of  all  manner  of  sizes,  according  to  the  gay  and 
festive  fancy  of  the  manufacturer,  with  the  conse- 
quence to  the  angler  that  he  never  could  tell,  till  he 
had  tried  it,  whether  he  would  have  to  cut  away  more 
or  less  of  his  rod,  or  file  down  more  or  less  of  his 
reel.  It  has  been  agreed  that  hereafter  standard 
sizes  are  to  be  followed  in  all  instances,  so  that  the 
purchaser  can  buy  with  a  distinct  knowledge  of  what 
he  is  getting.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  angling  frater- 
nity will  keep  the  tackle-makers  up  to  their  prom- 
ises by  only  purchasing  from  those  who  are  true  to 
this  agreement. 

In  speaking  of  hooks,  perhaps  it  may  be  con- 
sidered desirable  to  refer  to  the  needle-pointed, 
which  were  an  invention  of  Monroe  A.  Green,  a 
brother  of  Mr.  Seth  Green,  and  were  at  one  time 
much  admired.  The  difficulty  which  would  be  natu- 


276  FLY-FISHING. 

rally  expected  of  them  that  they  would  not  hold  the 
fish,  as  well  as  those  with  a  "barb,  does  not  exist,  and 
when  it  is  desirable  to  capture  trout  to  be  kept  alive, 
they  answer  admirably,  for  they  yery  rarely  kill  the 
fish  in  the  process  of  extraction.  The  disadvantage 
charged  upon  them  is  that  they  have  so  long  a 
point  that  the  trout  when  rising  short,  will  not  seize 
them  above  it,  and  will  as  a  consequence  not  be 
hooked.  Opinions  concerning  them  are  about  equal- 
ly divided;  sometimes  they  seem  to  do  admirably, 
at  others  they  do  not  work  as  well  as  the  ordinary 
hook. 

As  the  trolling-spoons  resemble  no  known  crea- 
ture, they  also  are  supposed  to  be  intended  and 
accepted  for  the  minnow,  although  it  is  difficult  to 
conceive  why  fish  with  their  sharp  sight,  that  can 
distinguish  an  almost  microscopic  midge  upon  the 
surface  of  the  water  twenty  feet  above  their  heads, 
should  mistake  a  piece  of  revolving  tin  for  a  living 
fish.  The  first  of  these  contrivances  were  manufac- 
tured  and  named  from  the  bowl  of  a  pewter  spoon, 
the  handle  being  broken  off  and  holes  drilled  in  each 
end,  so  that  the  line  and  hooks  could  be  attached  ; 
this  bait  was  found  to  revolve  and  glitter  in  the 
water  in  an  attractive  way.  It  is  now  almost  super- 
seded by  other  modifications ;  but  still,  when  made 
of  bright  tin  and  painted  of  a  dark  color  on  the  con- 
vex side,  and  rather  more  elongated  than  the  ordi- 
nary pattern,  it  is  successful  with  lake-trout  and 
Mackinaw  salmon.  The  first  alteration  in  shape  was 
by  fitting  two  flanges  or  wings  on  a  long,  hollow 


SWIVEL  LEAD 


FLY-FISHING.  277 

body,  upon  the  principle  of  a  screw,  and  named 
after  Archimedes,  by  which  a  rapid  revolution  wns 
produced  ;  but  although  this  invention  seemed  to 
man  nearly  perfect,  it  did  not  satisfy  the  fish  ;  for  a 
very  small  spoon  it  will  answer,  but  when  larger  is 
not  so  attractive  as  other  kinds.  Several  alterations 
and  combinations  of  these  two  plans  were  produced 
from  time  to  time ;  they  proved  to  be  merely  changes 
and  not  improvements,  until  an  invention  was  made 
that  is  usually  called  Buel's  Patent  Spoon — although 
it  has  been  said  that  his  patent  only  covers  the 
application  of  three  hooks  instead  of  two,  and  that 
the  invention  has  long  been  in  use  amgng  the  picke- 
rel fishermen  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  blacksmiths 
on  the  banks  of  that  river  certainly  manufacture 
them  unrestrainedly  of  such  material  as  they  prefer, 
but  only  use  two  hooks;  and  this  would  not  proba- 
bly be  permitted  if  the  patent  was  broad  enough  to 
prevent  it. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  however,  it  is  known  as  Buel's 
Spoon  ;  it  is  made  by  fastening  two  or  three  hooks 
back  to  back,  and  attaching  a  piece  of  tin  nearly 
elliptical  in  shape,  so  that  it  can  revolve  freely  round 
a  collar  at  the  shank.  This  is  its  simplest  form, 
and  the  one  preferred  for  mascallonge,  for  which 
two  strong  thick  hooks  are  used,  firmly  soldered  to- 
gether ;  and  for  pickerel,  black-bass,  and  lake-trout, 
it  is  safer  to  have  the  hooks  either  soldered  into  one 
piece  or  attached  by  wire,  as  the  fierce  struggles 
and  sharp  teeth  of  these  species  will  soon  destroy 
thread  or  silk.  The  tin  is  painted  of  various  colors, 


278  FLY-FISHING. 

or  even  replaced  with  brass,  and  should  be  kept 
well  burnished  on  the  bright  side.  Feather's  of 
gaudy  colors,  such  as  ibis,  golden  pheasant  neck, 
mallard,  and  wood-duck,  interspersed  with  plain 
white,  are  often  fastened  along  the  shank  ;  spoons 
thus  prepared  are  favorites  of  the  black-bass,  but 
have  no  advantage  for  mascallonge  over  the  bare 
hooks ;  they  are  also  used  successfully  for  trout, 
especially  those  captured  in  salt  water,  and  the  fea- 
thers as  well  as  the  coloring  of  the  tin  may  be 
adapted  to  the  state  of  the  weather.  On  clear,  sun- 
shiny days  dull  colors  are  preferable,  as  with  artifi- 
cial flies ;  and  in  dark  or  rainy  weather  the  lightest 
colors  answer  best.  Three  additional  hooks  are 
sometimes  added,  and  allowed  to  dangle  loosely  be- 
low the  others  ;  although  these  occasionally  capture 
a  fish  that  has  missed  striking  the  spoon  fairly,  they 
are  more  frequently  bitten  off;  they  are  really  no 
advantage,  and  if  once  imbedded  in  the  bristling 
jaws  of  a  gasping  pickerel,  their  extraction  is  both 
difficult  and  dangerous. 

Of  the  different  varieties  of  artificial  bait,  not  of 
course  including  the  artificial  fly,  the  most  general 
and  successful  is  Bud's  Spoon";  it  is  taken  by  all  the 
pickerel,  from  the  monstrous  mascallonge  to  the 
tiny  native  of  Long  Island  ;  by  the  trout  of  lake  or 
brook ;  by  the  black-bass  of  the  North  and  South, 
and  by  the  young  blue-fish  of  the  salt  water ;  it  is 
generally  a  greater  favorite  than  the  artificial,  and 
sometimes  even  than  the  natural  bait ;  with  black- 
bass  it  has  no  competitor  but  the  fly,  and  with  sea- 


FLY-FISHING.  279 

trout  it  occasionally  surpasses  the  artificial  fly  itself. 
Its  irregularity  of  motion,  consequent  upon  the  mode 
of  revolution,  seems  to  be  its  charm ;  and  although 
it  does  not  spin  as  well  as  the  Archimedes,  it  is  in- 
finitely more  killing.  It  has  in  open  water  almost 
supplanted  the  use  of  bait  for  pickerel  and  mascal* 
longe,  and  it  has  been  used  to  a  murderous  extent 
by  greedy  fishermen  in  trolling  the  waters  of  Moose- 
head  Lake  for  trout. 


280  BLUE-FISHING. 


BLUE-FISHING. 

LONG  ISLAND  lies  in  the  State  of  New  York ;  thero 
may  be  other  islands  that  are  long,  but  there  is  only 
one  Long  Island.  Other  States  may  have  endeav- 
ored to  appropriate  the  name  and  steal  the  reputa- 
tion of  our  pastoral  Paradise.  They  may  have 
called  portions  of  their  territory  long  or  short,  broad 
or  deep,  that  is  a  matter  for  them,  and  makes  no 
difference  to  us.  There  is  not,  there  never  was,  and 
there  never  will  be  but  one  Long  Island,  and  that  be- 
longs to  the  State  of  New  York  and  the  inhabitants 
thereof.  It  would  be  vain  to  attempt  to  describe 
the  attractions  and  perfections  of  this  favored  spot, 
to  explain  our  fondness  for  it  and  our  jealousy 
lest  some  out-of-the-way  Western  settlement  should 
set  up  a  surreptitious  claim  to  it  by  virtue  of  having 
named  some  bit  of  its  own  territory  by  the  same 
appellation.  Long  Island  is  the  natural  abiding 
place  of  the  civilization-loving  quail ;  it  is  one  of 
the  favorite  haunts  of  the  woodcock  ;  its  plains 
were  once  frequented  by  the  heath-hen,  the  prairie- 
chicken  of  the  West,  until  the  poachers  and  game 
murderers  ruthlessly  slew  them  all ;  it  is  visited 
spring  and  summer  by  countless  myriads  of  ducks  ; 
bay-snipe  follow  its  coast  in  August  and  September, 
and  fish  fairly  crowd  its  shores,  streams,  ponds, 


BLUE-FISHIKG.  281 

bays  and  inlets.  What  more  need  be  said  ?  But 
even  if  it  hurts  the  feelings  of  the  residents  of  the 
South  and  West,  the  further  fact  must  be  stated 
that  a  man  may  sit  out  of  doors  in  the  evening,  may 
actually  stay  out  of  doors  all  night,  which  is  a  great 
comfort  to  some  married  men,  without  getting  re- 
mittant  fever,  intermittant  fever,  typhoid  fever,  yel- 
low fever,  break-bone  fever,  dangue  fever  or  even 
chills  and  fever.  Wonderful  as  this  may  seem  to 
the  occupants  of  the  open  country  in  this  favored 
land  of  freedom  and  fever,  it  is  actually  the  truth. 
In  fact,  nobody  dies  on  Long  Island  except  of  old 
age,  and  rarely  then. 

On  the  south  of  the  Island  stretches  a  long,  nar- 
row lagoon  of  salt  water,  fed  from  the  land  by  in- 
numerable trout  brooks  pouring  their  sparkling 
rivulets,  scarcely  more  than  a  mile  apart ;  it  is  con- 
nected with  the  sea  by  several  inlets,  cut  by  the 
waves  through  the  narrow  beach  of  low  sand  that 
separates  the  bay  from  the  ocean.  This  lagoon, 
called  the  Great  South  Bay,  is  in  reality  sixty  miles 
long,  although  it  passes  under  several  local  names, 
but  a  boat  starting  from  Rockaway  can  sail  sixty 
miles  eastward  without  going  through  any  but  natu- 
ral water  communications. 

The  bay  formerly  abounded  with  fish.  Here 
weak-fish,  king-fish,  blue-fish,  sheeps-head,  sea  bass 
and  other  species  lived  and  bred,  while  Spanish 
mackerel,  bonito  and  various  migratory  kinds  visited 
it  in  their  season,  if  they  did  not  deposit  their  eggs 
there.  They  are  still  fairly  numerous,  although 


282  BLUE-FISHING. 

the  fishing  has  been  much,  reduced  by  the  use  of 
pound-nets  in  and  near  the  inlets,  which  not  only 
capture  fish  in  immense  numbers  but  of  immature 
size.  So  Mr.  Seth  Green,  the  State  Superintendent 
of  Fisheries,  and  one  of  the  Commissioners,  took  a 
yacht  and  set  out  on  an  exploring  expedition,  deter- 
mined to  investigate  the  possibilities  of  the  entire 
bay.  I  went  along  to  see  that  they  made  no  mis- 
takes. 

On  the  8th  day  of  August,  1881,  the  good  yacht 
Au  Eevoir  started  from  the  neighborhood  of  Islip, 
well  provisioned  for  a  two  weeks'  trip,  and  carrying 
its  load  of  piscatorial  science  safely  housed  in  its 
comfortable  cabin  of  some  ten  feet  square  and  five 
feet  high.  Extensive  accommodations  are  not  a 
feature  of  the  yachts  of  southern  Long  Island,  for 
the  reason  that  while  the  bay  is  sixty  miles  long  and 
four  wide  it  is  for  the  most  part  less  than  two  feet 
deep.  The  true  yachtsmen,  however,  can  "stow" 
himself,  and  a  prodigious  deal  besides,  in  a  very 
small  space,  and  "  our  voyagers"  were  naturally 
good  yachtmen  as  well  as  great  fish  culturists.  Un- 
fortunately the  Commissioner  is  fond  of  gunning, 
and  has  long  held  the  theory,  which  no  amount  of 
experience  has  removed,  that  there  will  some  time 
or  other  be  a  great  flight  of  snipe  along  the  beach 
on  the  south  of  the  bay.  So  he  insisted  on  bringing 
guns,  cartridges,  snipe  decoys  and  all  that  along ; 
and,  more  unfortunately  still,  he  made  up  his  mind 
from  the  signs  in  the  heavens,  the  direction  of  the 
wind,  or  the  motion  of  the  tides,  that  the  ninth  day 


BLUE-FISHING.  283 

of  August  was  the  day  on  which  this  flight  would 
take  place.  With  this  idea  in  his  heart  he  headed 
the  Au  Eevoir  to  the  east,  intending  first  to  investi- 
gate that  part  of  the  water  which  was  contiguous  to 
the  best  sniping  grounds. 

No  one  who  has  not  enjoyed  the  comforts  of  a 
cabin  ten  feet  square,  with  just  height  of  ceiling 
enough  to  enable  one  when  sitting  on  the  berth 
— which  answers  the  double  purpose  of  settee  by 
day  and  bed  by  night — to  take  a  drink  of  water  with- 
out hitting  one's  head  against  the  timbers  of  the 
roof,  can  imagine  how  snug  it  is.  And  when  their 
first  destination  had  been  reached,  anchor  let  go 
and  sails  furled,  the  explorers  found  the  night  set- 
tling down  upon  them  and  were  glad  to  take  refuge 
m  their  cosey  home,  get  out  their  table  luxuries 
and  superintend  the  cooking  of  their  meal.  Appe- 
tite is  a  permanent  passenger  by  every  yacht;  it 
lends  a  spice  to  food,  assists  in  the  cookery,  helps 
along  digestion,  and  aids  in  many  pleasant  ways. 
Weariness  smooths  the  small  pillows,  softens  and 
widens  the  hard  and  narrow  beds,  and  brings  balmy 
sleep.  Supper  over  and  even  the  bright  rays  of  the 
kerosene  lamp  which  lighted  up  the  cabin  like  a 
private  sun  could  not  keep  the  party  awake,  nor 
persuade  them  to  attend  to  the  piles  of  literature 
they  had  brought  to  while  away  what  never  comes — 
the  unoccupied  and  waste  time  of  yachting. 

At  four  o'clock  next  morning  Mr.  Green  remarked 
that  if  they  had  come  to  shoot  snipe  it  would  not  do 
to  lose  the  best  part  of  the  day.  In  ordinary  life 


284  BLUE-FISHING. 

there  may  be  a  question  which  is  the  best  part  of 
the  day.  The  business  man  may  consider  that  from 
ten  to  three  covers  the  case ;  the  belle  may  select 
the  same  hours,  but  from  a  different  portion  of  the 
twenty-four;  to  the  gourmand  the  dinner  hour  is. 
all  in  all ;  to  the  speculator,  the  time  of  meeting  of 
the  Stock  Board ;  to  the  lover,  the  hour  when  his 
mistress  is  visible  ;  but  to  the  duck  or  snipe  shooter, 
no  time  equals  that  from  dawn  to  full  sunlight. 
There  was  no  denying  Mr.  Green's  sage  remark, 
though  Sloth  begged  for  a  little  more  "  folding  of 
the  hands  to  sleep,"  and  the  Commissioner  was  fain 
to  set  out  sleepy  and  breakfastless  towards  the  shore 
in  the  dingy,  accompanied  by  guns,  ammunition, 
false  birds  and  the  paraphernalia  of  the  fatal  art. 
Alas  !  however  on  this  particular  occasion  there  was 
error  in  the  calculations.  The  Commissioner's 
prophecy  was  simply  the  contrary  of  what  it  ought 
to  have  been.  In  spite  of  winds  and  waves,  the 
movements  of  the  planets  and  the  conjunctions  of 
the  constellations,  there  was  no  flight  on  the  9th 
day  of  August.  1881.  Seth  Green  having  first  built 
a  blind  of  sea-weed  against  the  protest  of  the  Com- 
missioner, who  insisted  upon  having  it  made  of 
bushes,  armed  himself  with  the  ship's  glass,  not  the 
customary  glass  of  yachting  parties,  and  surveyed 
the  horizon  from  the  moment  it  was  visible  until  the 
sun  appeared.  Then  he  announced  that  there  was 
not  a  bird  anywhere,  and  utterly  refused  to  wait  for 
them  to  come  from  some  "  undiscovered  country," 
while  there  was  possible  fishing  to  be  had  anywhere 


BLUE-FISHING.  285 

in  the  land  of  the  living.  It  was  natural  that  he 
should  make  up  his  mind  promptly  and  the  Com- 
missioner surrendered  to  his  views,  with  the  saving 
clause,  grumblingly  uttered,  "that  if  there  had 
been  thousands  of  birds  they  never  would  have 
come  near  a  blind  made  of  seaweed  and  high  as  a 
hill."  So  the  "white  wings"  were  spread  and  the 
Au  Revoir  leaped  away  on  her  course  toward  the 
west. 

Now  they  meant  business,  and  their  destination 
was  Fire  Island  Inlet,  the  largest  feeder  of  salt 
water  to  the  Great  South  Bay,  a  channel  through 
which  a  considerable  amount  of  commerce  passes 
and  a  spot  that  was  once  famous  for  the  excellence 
of  its  fishing,  but  which  is  now  so  hedged  in  with 
pound-nets  that  the  sport  has  greatly  deteriorated, 
while  fish  that  spawn  in  the  bay  are  almost  excluded 
from  it. 

While  the  pound-nets  have  ruined  the  fishing  in 
the  bay  by  excluding  the  spawning  fish,  they  cannot 
prevent  some,  especially  of  the  smaller  kinds,  from 
getting  part  of  the  way  up  the  channel.  The 
"  Cinderbeds,"  so  called  from  a  peculiar  coral  for- 
mation which  grows  on  them,  are  the  favorite  re- 
sort of  porgies,  sea  bass  and  robins  or  gurnards, 
while  small  blue-fish  are  taken  in  the  channel  by 
what  is  called  "chumming."  To  the  Cinderbeds 
the  Au  Revoir  flew  as  fast  as  the  wind  and  our  im- 
patience would  carry  her.  We  bought  a  hundred 
clams  on  the  way  from  one  of  the  working  boats, 
with  which  the  bay  is  dotted  every  working  day  in 


286  BLUE-FISHIKG. 

the  year,  and  as  soon  as  we  readied  our  destination 
we  cast  anchor  and  went  to  fishing. 

Seth  Green  and  the  Commissioner  each  rigged  up 
his  line,  and  no  doubt  the  amount  of  skill,  erudi- 
tion, research  and  experience  involved  in  that  opera- 
tion would  be  hard  to  describe.  Catching  a  surrep- 
titious view  of  Mr.  Green's  rig-out,  I  found  he  had 
a  silk  worm  gut  leader  armed  with  seven  hooks, 
while  the  Commissioner  had  fastened  his  hooks  by 
short  lengths  to  his  line  above  the  sinker,  half  way 
to  the  tip  of  his  rod.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
against  such  skill  the  fish  stood  no  chance.  There 
was  a  pound-net  within  a  stone's  throw,  and  I  com- 
miserated its  incapacity  beside  these  formidable  en- 
gines. Not  satisfied,  however,  the  Superintendent 
arranged  a  wire  bag,  filled  it  with  bait  that  the  fish 
could  not  get  at,  and  hung  it  over  the  side  to  at- 
tract them.  Up  came  the  fish  by  ones,  by  twos,  by 
threes,  at  every  cast,  of  all  kinds,  large  and  small. 
The  yacht's  deck  was  covered  with  fish.  Fish  flop- 
ped and  sparkled  in  the  sun;  fish  bounced  about 
the  cockpit,  fish  got  under  your  feet;  fish  hid  away 
in  the  cabin.  Baskets  and  boxes  were  filled  with 
fish,  and  had  it  not  been  for  an  interruption  the  Au 
Revoir  would  have  been  loaded  down  with  fish. 

While  these  two  enthusiastic  piscatorial  artists 
were  hard  at  it,  with  no  signs  of  giving  up,  a  styl- 
ish-looking craft  sailed  by.  It  had  a  signal  on 
which  was  the  suggestive  figure  of  a  fish,  and  be- 
neath that  the  word  "  Bait,"  and  the  Commissioner 
recognizing  it  at  once  as  the  "  chum-boat,"  shouted 


BLUE-FISHING.  287 

out  that  he  wanted  a  hundred  moss-bunkers.  Chum 
is  bait,  usually  moss-bunker,  bony-fish  or  menhaden, 
three  names  for  the  same  creature,  chopped  up 
fine  with  a  hatchet  and  thrown  overboard  from 
time  to  time,  while  the  fisherman  puts  larger  and 
more  alluring  pieces  on  his  hook.  The  chum  gives 
out  an  oil  which  floats  on  the  water  and  attracts  the 
blue-fish,  while  the  bait  catches  them.  As  the  men- 
haden is  oily  and  nasty  to  handle  it  is  not  a  pleas- 
ant nor  clean  style  of  fishing,  but  it  is  the  only 
mode  of  taking  blue-fish  which  is  possible  within 
the  bay,  where  sea-weed  usually  runs  so  thickly  as 
to  cover  a  trolling  squid  faster  than  it  could  be  got 
out  the  length  of  the  line,  and  often  to  interfere 
greatly  with  the  hooks  while  chumming.  There  is 
a  machine  made  especially,  something  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  a  patent  sausage  chopper,  to  grind  up  moss- 
bunkers  into  minute  pieces,  but  it  gets  foul  if  not 
cleaned  carefully,  and  is  not  much  used  except  by 
the  oAvners  of  boats,  that  make  a  business  of  taking 
parties  out  blue-fishing,  so  that  it  is  called  into  em- 
ployment daily. 

Probably  no  two  more  discordantly  harmonious 
elements  could  be  brought  together  than  the  Super- 
intendent and  the  Commissioner.  Each  has  the 
firm  conviction  that  what  he  does  not  know  about 
fishing  is  not  only  not  worth  knowing  but  does  not 
exist.  They  are  both  so  calmly  convinced  of  this 
fact,  and  serenely  set  in  their  ways,  that  they  utter- 
ly ignore  not  alone  the  suggestions  of  the  outside 
fishing  world,  but  also  of  one  another.  Strange  as 


288  BLUE-FISHING. 

it  may  seem,  they  are  widely  at  variance,  and  even 
though  they  may  be  for  the  first  time  essaying  a 
style  of  fishing  that  they  have  never  tried  before,  as 
was  the  cass  with  Mr.  Green  in  this  instance,  they 
are  firmly  convinced  that  they  know  more  about  it 
than  one  who  has  followed  it  for  a  lifetime.  So 
while  the  Commissioner  was  satisfied  to  put  on  a 
gut  leader  that  the  professionals  would  have  assured 
him  the  blue-fish  would  take  off  at  the  first  bite, 
the  Superintendent  rigged  a  wonderful  gang  of 
small  hooks,  such  as  was  never  seen  by  the  un- 
sophisticated inhabitants  of  the  Great  South  Bay  in 
their  lives  before.  The  chumming  having  gone  on 
by  the  boatman  for  a  short  time,  the  fishing  began. 
Science  was  too  much  for  the  finny  tribe  and  they 
simply  gave  up,  resistance  under  the  circumstances 
was  a  work  of  supererogation.  The  odds  against 
them  were  too  overwhelming,  and  they  opened  their 
mouths  and  swallowed  their  fate  and  the  hooks  to- 
gether. It  was  impossible  to  say  which  of  the 
anglers  caught  the  most  fish  where  both  were 
taking  them  all  the  time.  Bright,  shining,  gleam- 
ing blue-fish  came  over  the  stern  so  fast  that 
they  seemed  like  a  long  streak  of  silvery  sunlight 
rather  than  mere  fish.  If  there  were  fish  galore 
before,  they  were  more  galore  now,  they  were  indeed 
too  galore.  They  were  becoming  a  nuisance,  and 
as  there  was  no  evidence  that  either  of  the  con- 
templative anglers  had  the  slightest  intent  of  stop- 
ping, the  only  question  remaining  was  how  long  it 
would  be  before  the  yacht  sank  under  her  augment- 


BLUE-FISHING.  389 

ing  load.  Fortunately  at  this  point  of  time  dinner 
was  announced,  and  the  alacrity  with  which  they 
laid  down  their  lines, was  only  equalled  by  the  enthu- 
siasm with  which  they  had  used  them,  while  the 
amount  of  dinner  they  consumed  visibly  lightened 
the  vessel  again.  The  meal  was  late,  and  before 
it  was  despatched  the  tide  had  turned,  and  the  fish 
had  left,  for  they  rarely  bite  during  more  than  one 
tide.  So  the  party  devoted  themselves  to  salting 
down  the  prey  which  they  had  secured,  and  of  which 
there  was  much  more  than  they  could  use.  The 
fish  were  opened,  scaled,  cleaned,  and  all  the  bones 
were  carefully  removed,  as  both  the  scientific  author- 
ities agreed  that  the  preserving  of  fish  bones  was 
an  unnecessary  expenditure  of  room,  labor  and  salt. 
Then  they  were  packed  in  a  half-barrel,  with  a  layer 
of  coarse  salt  between  each  layer  of  fish,  nearly 
filling  the  barrel. 

The  last  words  of  Mr.  Green  to  me,  as  he  was  re- 
tiring to  his  narrow  berth  that  night  after  his  day's 
toil  and  triumph  were:  "I  have  to-day  fixed  a  rig 
to  catch  salt-water  fish  here,  which  I  have  explained 
to  the  Commissioner,  who  will  explain  it  to  you, 
and  which  I  have  told  him  will  catch  more  fish 
twice  over  than  any  other  arrangement,  and  if  you 
would  like  to  catch  salmon-trout  and  will  come  tq 
me,  I  will  give  you  a  rig  for  them  that  will  take 
more  of  them  than  any  plan  you  are  acquainted 
with." 

Mr.  Green  falls  to  sleep  quickly,  and  has  a  way 
of  making  his  slumber  obvious  to  those  who  are 


290  BLUE-FISHING. 

with  him  on  the  same  vessel,  and  as  the  Commis- 
sioner remained  np  later,  he  took  occasion  to  remark 
to  me  when  his  companion  was  asleep:  "I  have 
shown  Mr.  Green  my  rig  for  blue-fishing  to-day, 
and  you  observed  how  much  more  successful  it  was 
than  his  which  he  had  copied  from  fresh-water  fish- 
ing. I  will  explain  it  all  to  you  to-morrow,  and  you 
must  not  forget  how  it  is  arranged,  for  it  .will  catch 
twice  as  many  fish  as  any  plan  you  ever  saw."  So 
I  felt  safe  about  my  future  success  as  an  angler. 

Next  day  was  devoted  to  resting  and  the  acquisi- 
tion of  information.  The  Commissioner  sat  on  the 
deck,  made  sketches,  expounded  learned  theories 
on  fish  and  fishing,  and  discoursed  at  length  on  his 
favorite  hobby,  the  resources  and  attractions  of 
Long  Island.  The  Superintendent  in  the  mean- 
while rowed  ashore  with  all  the  nets,  large  and 
small,  and  their  number  was  by  no  means  limited, 
and  a  boatman  to  help  him.  He  drew  the  larger 
nets  in  the  open  water,  he  chased  killies  up  and 
down  the  creeks  with  the  smaller  ones,  he  made  a 
catch  of  what  he  persisted  in  calling  white-bait,  but 
which  was  contemptuously  designated  by  the  Com- 
missioner as  spearing;  he  helped  the  owners  of  the 
pounds,  that  were  stationed  in  the  neighborhood, 
draw  them,  rather  to  their  discomfort,  as  they  looked 
upon  him  as  a  natural  enemy  to  their  calling.  He 
went  to  the  light-house  and  ascended  to  the  top  and 
studied  the  lights,  and  suggested  a  half  dozen  new 
and  improved  plans  of  running  the  system.  He 
stopped  in  at  the  life-saving  station  on  his  return; 


BLUE-FJSHIKG.  291 

examined  the  mortars,  the  guns,  the  wagons,  and 
finally  insisted  on  taking  a  lesson  in  resuscitating  the 
drowned,  by  pretending  he  was  dead,  and  making 
the  men  go  through  the  entire  operation  of  bringing 
him  back  to  life,  in  spite  of  all  the  dragging, 
squeezing,  pulling,  pounding,  that  it  implied.  Be- 
coming in  the  course  of  the  proceeding  quite  en- 
thusiastic, and  evidently  longing  to  put  his  newly 
acquired  knowledge  in  practice  on  some  one  else  as 
soon  as  possible.  Throughout  the  rest  of  the  trip 
I  was  haunted  with  the  terrible  feeling  that  he  was 
watching  me  with  the  fiendish  hope  that  I  would 
fall  overboard  and  be  drowned,  in  order  that  he 
might  have  the  satisfaction  of  bringing  me  to,  and 
thus  adding  one  more  to  the  list  of  lives  that  he  has 
saved,  and  in  spite  of  the  to  me  horrible  possibility, 
that  scientific  resuscitation  might  fail  in  that  par- 
ticular instance.  Indeed  I  got  to  be  quite  nervous 
when  he  was  standing  behind  me  and  I  happened  to 
be  near  the  edge  of  the  deck. 

After  his  return  to  the  yacht,  he  started  off  again 
to  dig  soft  clams,  carrying  the  Commissioner  with 
him,  and  it  was  an  interesting  sight  to  observe 
those  stout,  sturdy  and  rather  elderly  gentlemen  in 
bathing  dresses,  that  exhibited  their  forms  to  the 
best  advantage,  digging  away  as  if  their  lives  de- 
pended on  the  result  of  their  labors,  and  returning 
proud  of  a  half-filled  boat  of  the  bivalves.  Evi- 
dently good  consciences,  or  good  sport,  or  both 
combined  through  life  bring  their  reward.  After 
dinner  the  vessel  was  got  under- way  and  a  trip  was 


292  BLUE-FISHIKG. 

made  through  the  western  part  of  the  bay,  past  Mr. 
Havemeyer's  beautiful  home  by  the  sea,  which 
stands  upon  the  outmost  verge  and  overlooks  the 
broad  ocean  and  the  inlet  with  its  ever-crested 
surges,  as  though  it  were  a  sentinel  keeping  watch 
and  ward  over  the  shoals  of  fish  and  the  hosts  of 
fishermen's  boats  that  pursue  them  day  and  night ; 
past  Uncle  Jesse  Conkling's  famous  hostlery  on  Cap 
Tree  Island,  past  the  Wawayanda  Club  adjoining; 
then  through  the  narrow  channel  beyond,  heading 
west  by  Oak  Island  and  Cedar  Island.  There  it 
was  that  Mr.  Green  once  more  discovered  a  mystery 
which  required  probing.  He  noticed  a  number  of 
men  up  to  their  waists  in  water,  "treading  out" 
hard  clams,  and  as  he  had  never  seen  such  an  in- 
dustry before,  was  absolutely  unwilling  to  accept 
the  Commissioner's  explanation  of  it,  but  resolved 
npon  examining  for  himself.  As  the  water  was 
only  about  three  feet  deep  where  the  men  were  at 
work,  and  there  was  a  sand  bar  still  shoaler  outside 
of  them,  the  yacht,  in  spite  of  its  light  draught  of 
water,  went  aground.  The  tide  was  falling,  and  all 
efforts  to  get  her  off  proving  abortive,  there  was 
nothing  to  do  but  prepare  to  pass  the  night  in  peace. 
The  sails  were  furled,  the  anchor  was  carried  out 
in  the  small  boat  and  dropped  some  distance  ahead, 
and  all  hands  calmed  their  minds  to  the  patience 
of  waiting  for  the  change  of  tide  and  rise  of  water. 
To  my  surprise,  no  sooner  were  these  little  duties 
attended  to,  than  Mr.  Green  proceeded  to  utilize 
his  enforced  immobility.  Donning  his  bathing 


BLUE-FISHING.  293 

clothes  once  more,  he  clambered  overboard  and  set 
to  work  treading  out  clains.  In  his  heart  he  be- 
lieved there  was  no  truth  in  the  pretence  of  their 
existence,  as  clams  were  not  to  be  found  much  less 
to  be  trodden  out  in  Hemlock  or  Keuka  Lake,  or 
even  in  Caledonia  Brook.  The  assumption,  that 
men  could  find  them  by  just  walking  about  in  the 
South  Bay  and  picking  them  up,  was  more  than  he 
could  credit,  and  not  to  be  accepted  without  the 
clearest  proof.  He  soon  satisfied  his  doubts,  how- 
ever, and  was  punished  by  having  to  listen  to  a  lec- 
ture from  the  Commissioner,  on  the  wonderful  pro- 
ductiveness of  that  sheet  of  water,  under  the  in- 
fliction of  which  he  went  to  bed  early  and  slept 
soundly. 

Next  morning  Mr.  Green  was  evidently  anxious 
to  continue  the  study  and  practice  of  the  great  art 
of  "treading  out  clams,"  but  the  yacht  was  afloat 
and  it  was  thought  better  to  get  under-way  and 
leave  the  prosecution  of  that  industry  to  some 
other  occasion. 

"  To  the  west  of  this,"  remarked  the  Com- 
missioner calmly,  when  the  vessel  was  plowing 
her  way  along  towards  the  setting  sun,  "I  am  not 
acquainted  with  our  course,  and  we  must  rely  on 
our  charts." 

"Why  not  ask  the  men?"  enquired  the  Super- 
intendent, who  evidently  had  not  much  faith  in 
that  mode  of  making  out  a  course.  "Don't  they 
know  it?" 

"  Oh  no,  a  man  in  the  South  Bay  only  minds  his 


294  BLUE-FISHING. 

own  business.  If  he  fishes  for  clams  he  knows 
where  the  clams  are,  if  he  uses  a  net  he  understands 
just  where  and  how  to  set  it,  if  he  digs  mussels  or 
catches  'bunkers,  mussels  and  'bunkers  are  the  ex- 
tent of  his  knowledge.  Why  should  he  worry  him- 
self with  vain  things  ?  One  of  my  men  worked  in 
the  middle  part  of  the  bay.  Into  the  East  Bay  he 
has  told  me  he  went  once.  Into  the  West  Bay, 
though  but  thirty  miles  from  his  home,  he  has 
never  presumed  to  penetrate.  The  other  has  not 
been  so  far.  But  I  told  you  I  can  rely  upon  my 
charts." 

"Then,"  said  Mr.  Green,  "the  sooner  you  begin 
to  study  them  the  better." 

"I  remember,"  said  the  Commissioner,  thought- 
fully, as  he  brought  them  out  of  the  cabin,  "  that 
there  was  a  white  house,  which  bore  north-east  or 
north-west  or  north-by-east  or  about  that,  from  the 
opening  in  the  bulkhead,  but  I  forget  exactly  which 
white  house  it  was,  and  there  seem  to  be  several." 

"  Perhaps,"  replied  Mr.  Green,  with  deepest 
"sarkassum,"  "it  is  that  white  house  we  passed  an 
hour  ago,  or  that  one  we  are  abreast  of,  or  that  one 
a  mile  ahead.  As  everybody  appears  to  paint  his 
house  white  on  this  shore  you  have  quite  a  choice." 

"Oh!"  replied  the  Commissioner,  innocent  of 
the  ill-concealed  irony,  "this  was  a  large,  white 
house,  it  is  either  that  one  in  the  distance  or  some 
one  beyond." 

At  this  the  Superintendent  bounced  around  in 


BLUE-FISHING.  295 

restlessness.  "  Let's  follow  some  other  boat,  that 
one  ahead,  she  acts  as  if  going  our  way." 

"It  is  a  thousand  to  one  she  is  not,  there  are 
villages  all  along  the  bay,  and  every  cove  is  con- 
verted into  a  harbor.  We  shall  find  the  house,  but 
what  troubles  me  is  the  course.  I  seem  not  to  have 
marked  it  on  the  chart.  I  must  have  known  it  so 
well  once." 

"And  suppose  we  cannot  find  it,  what  then?" 
groaned  Mr.  Green.  "  Where  can  we  make  a 
harbor  ?  " 

"Oh,  we  can  anchor  anywhere.  The  water  is 
not  over  four  feet  deep  where  we  are.  But  we  can 
surely  find  the  channel.  It  was  staked  out." 

So  they  took  *  *  heart  of  grace  "  at  sight  of  every 
oyster  stake,  and  eel-pot  stake  and  net  stake  in  their 
course. 

"What  is  the  bulkhead,  anyhow?"  asked  Mr. 
Green,  after  a  pensive  pause. 

"It  is  a  strip  of  sand  like  a  shallow  sand  bar, 
miles  long,  and  dividing  one  part  of  the  bay  from 
the  other.  There  is  some  way  of  passing  around 
it,  but  I  do  not  know  how,  and  that  would  take  us 
far  out  of  our  course,  and  nearly  up  to  the  main- 
land. We  shall  find  the  channel,  never  fear." 

The  Superintendent  stood  this  for  half  an  hour 
longer,  then  after  they  had  passed  a  dozen  white 
houses,  none  of  which  the  Commissioner  recognized 
as  the  right  one,  his  patience  and  confidence  gave 
out  together  and  he  exclaimed  decisively: 

"The  sooner  we  about  ship  and  go  for  some 


296  BLUE-FISHING. 

place  where  we  do  know  the  way,  the  better.  Wo 
have  time  to  get  back  and  take  a  run  outside,  and 
catch  some  of  those  big  blue-fish  that  I  hear  a  good 
deal  more  of  than  I  see." 

It  was  hard  work  to  induce  the  Commissioner  to 
consent  to  give  up  his  search  for  the  house  that 
bore  some  course  from  a  spot  marked  by  a  stake, 
of  which  there  are  probably  a  million  or  two  in  the 
bay,  but  he  submitted  at  last  and  the  yacht  was 
headed  back  for  the  inlet.  The  wind  had  died  out 
and  valuable  time  had  been  lost,  the  tide  turned 
against  them  and  they  reached  the  inlet  too  late  to 
try  the  trolling  outside.  The  Commissioner  con- 
soled himself  by  making  a  sketch  of  Jesse  Conk- 
ling's,  near  to  which  they  had  anchored,  and  the 
Superintendent  by  going  ashore  and  explaining  to 
the  residents  and  visitors,  who  received  him  with 
open  arms  and  limitless  hospitality,  just  how  to 
troll  for  blue-fish,  a  knowledge  which  he  had 
evolved  from  his  inner  consciousness  by  the  mere 
prospect  of  going  out  for  the  first  time  in  his  life 
on  the  morrow.  He  returned  quite  late,  after  all 
the  other  occupants  of  the  yacht  had  retired  to 
their  peaceful  couches,  and  waked  them  up  in  order 
that  they  might  know  that  he  had  gone  to  bed  too. 

The  following  morning  broke  clear  and  moderate, 
with  a  gentle  breeze  from  the  south-west.  It  was 
just  the  day  for  our  purpose.  We  had  the  white- 
bait for  breakfast  that  Mr.  Green  had  previously 
taken,  and  which  he  had  carefully  preserved  on  ice. 

The  " white-bait"  were  only  "spearing,"  quite  a 


BLUE-FISHING.  297 

common,  but  very  pretty  fish  of  our  northern 
waters.  It  is  semi-transparent,  and  certainly  looks 
"good  enough  to  eat,"  and  the  Superintendent, 
who  had  never  tasted  it,  assured  us  it  was  delicious, 
but  the  Commissioner  had  eaten  it  before,  and  his 
souvenirs  were  not  favorable.  However,  we  had 
that  cooked  and  the  barred-killey,  and  the  green- 
killey,  and  the  many  varieties  which  are  known 
generally  as  "mummies,"  from  the  Indian  word 
mummachog,  along  the  shores  of  Mattowax,  the 
Long  Island  of  the  aborigines,  and  Mr.  Green  ate 
of  them  all.  His  plan  with  a  fish  is  very  simple  ; 
first  to  catch  it,  then  to  smell  it,  for  he  says  every 
fish  has  its  own  peculiar  and  distinguishing  smell, 
then  to  cook  it,  then  to  eat  it.  No  matter  what  it 
may  be,  nor  how  repulsive  it  may  look.  He  once 
tasted  jelly-fish,  but  reported  that  it  was  bad ;  in 
fact  that  red  pepper  was  a  salve  for  the  taste  it  gave, 
and  that  when  he  had  exhausted  himself  trying  to 
remove  the  recollection  with  water  he  scrubbed  his 
mouth  out  with  sand.  He  tests  the  warmth  of  all 
water  in  which  he  fishes  with  his  mouth,  and  can 
tell  to  a  degree  of  the  thermometer  what  it  is,  and 
he  drinks  a  little  to  ascertain  if  it  is  salt  or  fresh, 
and  if  brackish  exactly  how  brackish. 

Our  white-bait  were  certainly  very  sandy ;  they 
were  too  small  and  pellucid  to  need  cleaning,  but 
their  stomachs  were  as  full  of  sand  as  if  they  lived 
on  nothing  else.  Still  the  Superintendent  insisted 
that  they  were  a  very  sweet  fish,  what  there  was  of 
them,  a  proposition  to  which  the  Commissioner 
gave  a  disgusted  assent. 


298  BLUE-FISHING. 

"  A  yery  sweet  fish  indeed,"  he  said,  "  all  of  them 
which  is  not  bones  or  sand,  and  that  is  not  much. 
And  by  the  way,  I  may  say  incidentally,  that  while 
there  is  a  little  real  white-bait,  the  young  of  the  her- 
ring, sold  in  New  York  markets,  what  is  usually 
passed  off  under  that  name,  is  a  mixture  of  all  sorts 
of  young  or  small  fish,  among  which  the  spearing 
holds  a  prominent  place,  and  that  it  is  about  as 
miserable  a  substitute  for  real  white-bait  as  mussels 
are  for  oysters." 

Of  course  this  fact  was  well  known  to  our  party, 
but  the  beauty  of  spearing  was  misleading  some  of 
them,  as  beauty  has  misled  some  of  us  more  or  less 
during  our  lives.  The  Superintendent  was  too  im- 
patient, having  finished  his  own  breakfast,  to  listen 
to  the  abstract  discourses  of  his  superior,  and  direct- 
ed the  men  to  get  under- way  at  once  and  put  out 
from  the  quiet  bay  into  the  turbulent  ocean.  Soon 
they  had  passed  the  inner  buoy  off  Havemeyer's 
Point  and  were  pitching  into  the  rollers  that  tum- 
bled in  over  the  bar  which  was  showing  its  outlines 
by  the  angry  heads  of  the  seas  breaking  in  front  of 
them.  On  they  went,  the  yacht  gracefully  bowing 
as  she  plunged  into  the  waves. 

There  is  something  exhilarating  about  the  motion 
of  a  small  vessel  at  sea.  A  ship  is  so  large  that  she 
has  a  steady  movement  and  does  no  more  than  roll 
from  side  to  side,  but  a  small  yacht  dances  and 
pitches  and  jumps  and  tosses  with  the  uneasiness  of 
a  living  thing.  To  look  at  one  going  by,  she  is  the 
perfection  of  grace,  she  rises  and  falls,  lifts  and 


BLUE-FISHING.  299 

"bows,  leans  over  on  her  side  and  flings  the  water 
from  her  stem  with  a  charming  freedom  and  ease. 
All  of  which  is  simply  delightful  provided  the 
yachting  party  is  not  seasick. 

The  sea  happened  to  he  rather  heavier  than  we 
expected,  and  occasionally  a  wave  larger  than  usual 
would  fling  its  spray  on  deck,  but  we  were  pretty 
good  sailors  and  did  not  mind  it.  The  fish,  how- 
ever, false  to  their  hounden  duty  were  not  biting, 
and  the  Commissioner  proceeded  to  relate  remi- 
niscences between  the  puffs  of  his  segar  and  the 
pitches  of  the  boat.  There  is  one  point  upon  which 
I  had  observed  that  the  two  learned  authorities  were 
in  perfect  accord  ;  they  never  disputed,  never  ap- 
peared to  doubt  one  another's  stories,  incredible  as 
these  sometimes  sounded  to  the  uninitiated  outsid- 
ers. Only  they  seemed  to  feel  it  a  point  of  honor  to 
match  the  statements  with  others  as  good  or  better. 
He  gave  accounts  of  wondrous  bags  of  game  and 
fish  by  land  and  sea,  told  of  his  catching,  when 
trolling  at  the  same  place  years  before,  eighty  blue- 
fish  that  averaged  ten  pounds  apiece,  related  how  he 
had  sailed  through  miles  of  Spanish  mackerel,  and 
observed  that  it  was  nothing  uncommon  to  take 
three  hundred  small  blue-fish  in  a  day's  chumming. 

"  Would  you  believe  it,"  he  added,  evidently  in- 
tending to  test  the  credulity  of  his  companion, 
"that  there  is  good  rail  shooting  in  the  streams  be- 
low my  trout  ponds  ?  Why  I  have  killed  a  hundred 
rail  there  in  a  day." 

I  watched  the  countenance  of  the  Superintendent 


300  BLUE-FISHING. 

to  see  if  even  this  story  would  stagger  him,  but 
there  was  not  a  trace  of  disbelief  on  his  frank  and 
striking  face.  I  may  say  that  I  have  myself  shot  in 
the  creek  to  which  he  had  reference,  and  that  I  have 
never  killed  half  that  number,  but  then  I  may  not 
be  able  to  shoot  either  with  the  gun  or  the  bow  as 
well  as  the  skilful  Commissioner. 

The  Superintendent  caught  the  first  fish;  it  was 
a  handsome  fellow  of  a  good  five  pounds  weight. 
He  was  evidently  proud  of  his  success,  and  felt  that 
it  was  his  turn  to  dilate  and  instruct. 

"  There  is  always  some  time  in  the  day  when  fish 
will  bite,"  he  said  ;  "it  may  be  early  or  it  may  be 
late,  and  here  perhaps  your  tides  have  something  to 
do  with  it,  but  there  is  always  an  hour  at  which 
they  feed.  I  remember  going  to  Keuka  Lake  once, 
because  I  received  a  letter  complaining  that  the 
people  who  were  staying  there  could  not  catch  any 
trout.  The  first  day  I  got  my  bait,  the  next  I  was 
out  by  daylight.  Just  as  I  expected,  the  trout  were 
feeding  early.  I  caught  ten  before  nine  o'clock  in 
the  morning  and  only  four  afterwards  throughout 
the  whole  day.  I  stayed  there  two  weeks  ;  during 
the  first  I  took  pretty  much  all  as  I  say  about 
sunrise.  The  second  week  they  bit  later,  between 
eight  and  eleven,  and  when  I  was  coming  away  they 
were  just  beginning  to  feed  in  the  afternoon." 

At  this  moment  the  Commissioner  landed  a  mate 
to  that  of  the  Superintendent's,  and  then  came 
along  stragglers  to  one  or  another  of  the  party,  but 
there  were  no  large  schools  of  them,  for  the  gulls 


BLUE-FISHIKG.  301 

which  congregate  over  them  and  pounce  down  upon 
the  small  fish  that  they  drive  to  the  surface  were 
nowhere  collected  together,  but  were  darting  about, 
screaming  with  their  discordant  cries  from  one  part 
of  the  heavens  to  the  other.  We  had  brought  a 
quantity  of  moss-bunkers  with  us  to  meet  the  ne- 
cessity of  chumming  in  case  nothing  was  to  be  done 
trolling,  and  so  soon  as  it  was  apparent  that  the 
trolling  spoons  were  not  going  to  do  any  great  exe- 
cution, both  the  Superintendent  and  the  Commis- 
sioner changed  their  rigs  and  mounted  a  slice  of  the 
dead  bait  on  a  gang  of  hooks  in  place  of  the  regula- 
tion leaden  squid.  Hardly  was  the  change  effected 
before  both  of  the  anglers  were  fast  to  a  fish.  It 
took  some  time  to  land  them,  and  they  proved  to  be 
the  largest  yet  taken,  one  weighing  a  full  twelve 
pounds.  They  were  quickly  succeeded  by  others, 
and  it  was  apparent  that  either  a  school  had  been 
struck  or  that  this  new  rig  was  far  superior  to  the 
old,  but  the  sport  fell  off  again  after  some  dozen  or 
more  had  been  caught,  and  it  was  proposed  to  try 
the  chumming. 

We  came  to  anchor  in  three  fathoms  water  and 
tied  up  the  sails.  We  had  taken  the  precaution  of 
leaving  the  small  dingy  in  the  bay,  as  we  were  sure 
not  to  want  it  at  sea.  The  swell  had  diminished 
slightly  under  the  influence  of  the  moderate  weath- 
er, but  still  there  was  roll  enough  to  make  it  un- 
steady fishing.  If  a  small  vessel  is  uneasy  in  the 
ocean  when  under-way  it  is  ten  times  more  so 
when  it  is  at  anchor.  Then  it  seems  to  add  a 


302  BLUE-FISHING. 

dozen  new  motions  to  the  old  ones.  It  wobbles 
.and  twists,  and  bobs  and  bounces  in  the  most  in- 
comprehensible way,  and  unless  a  man  is  accustomed 
to  the  performance  he  will  find  it  impossible  to  keep 
his  feet  through  it.  While  the  chum  was  being 
cut  and  sent  overboard  by  one  of  the  men,  and 
before  the  fish  had  a  chance  to  collect,  the  Commis- 
sioner drew  upon  his  stores  of  reminiscences  again. 
"  I  remember,"  he  said,  "  that  the  nearest  I  ever 
came  to  falling  overboard  happened  while  I  was 
out  in  the  ocean  at  anchor  chumming,  and  I  think 
very  near  this  spot.  I  was  standing  on  the  deck 
and  stooped  over  to  make  my  line  fast  to  a  cleat 
or  something  of  that  sort,  when  the  yacht  took  a 
sudden  lurch  and  pitched  me  forward.  There  was 
nothing  for  me  to  catch  hold  of  and  no  way  of 
saving  myself  the  moment  I  had  lost  my  balance. 
I  had  just  a  second  to  think  as  I  was  going,  and  I 
remember  how  well  I  took  in  the  situation.  We 
had  seen  several  sharks  about,  their  back  fins  having 
been  visible  close  to  the  boat  only  a  few  minutes 
before.  I  am  not  afraid  of  sharks  as  a  general 
thing,  and  do  not  believe  in  their  biting  any  one  in 
our  northern  waters,  but  the  idea  of  being  sent 
among  them  so  unceremoniously  was  far  from 
pleasant.  Then  the  water  looked  so  clear  and  deep, 
I  could  see  the  bottom,  and  felt  sure  I  should  go 
there,  as  I  knew  I  would  be  pitched  overboard 
headforemost.  I  even  wondered  how  long  it  would 
take  me  to  come  up  to  the  surface  afterwards,  and 
how  much  it  would  cost  to  repair  my  three  hundred 
dollar  Jurgensen  watch." 


BLUE-FISHIKG.  303 

"  Well,"  exclaimed  the  Superintendent,  who  was 
impatient  over  this  long  delay  in  arriving  at  the 
catastrophy,  "were  you  drowned  ?" 

"No,  not  quite,  for  fortunately  just  as  I  was 
going,  and  when  I  had  given  up  all  hope  of  saving 
myself  the  yacht  took  another  cant,  pitched  me  back 
the  contrary  way  and  brought  me  to  my  equilibrium 
once  more.  Since  that  time  I  have  been  careful 
how  I  stood  on  the  deck  of  a  small  boat  when  sho 
was  anchored  in  the  ocean." 

At  this  moment  the  first  result  of  this  method 
of  fishing  made  his  appearance,  being  a  twelve 
pound  blue-fish,  which  was  at  that  instant  hooked 
by  the  Commissioner.  It  was  quite  instruc- 
tive to  see  how  suddenly  the  monitor  was  merged 
in  the  fisherman.  No  sooner  had  the  fish  struck 
than  he  bounced  out  of  the  cockpit  with  the 
alacrity  of  a  boy  of  twenty.  Indifferent  to  baths 
or  sharks,  or  the  perils  of  the  deep  he  balanced 
himself  on  the  narrow  and  unsteady  deck,  and 
played  his  fish  with  the  utmost  skill  until  he  had 
safely  brought  him  over  the  side. 

Chumming  in  the  ocean  does  not  differ  from 
chumming  in  the  bay,  except  in  the  size  of  the 
sheet  of  water  and  the  consequent  unsteadiness  of 
the  performance.  The  fish  are  generally  larger  and 
stronger,  rarely  running  smaller  than  five  pounds, 
but  that  is  all.  When  the  fishermen  had  taken  a 
half  dozen  fish  apiece  they  were  satisfied,  and 
once  more  made  sail  on  the  yacht  and  stretched 
away  for  a  harbor.  We  ran  through  the  rough 


304  BLUE-FISHING. 

water  of  the  inlet  without  any  trouble,  and  were 
soon  at  rest  on  the  peaceful  bosom  of  the  bay. 

The  yacht  was  soon  anchored  over  against  Jesse 
Smith's,  another  of  the  queer  summer  resorts  that 
have  grown  up  along  the  bay  shores  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  people  during  the  blazing  months  of 
our  hot  weather,  a  species  of  country  restaurant 
having  no  accommodations  for  boarders,  but  with 
cooking  not  inferior  in  results,  if  in  science,  to  that 
of  the  most  famous  city  places.  There  the  Superin- 
tendent, who  is  of  a  social  turn,  spent  his  evening 
so  effectually  that  the  yacht  was  not  only  under- 
way the  next  morning,  but  half  up  the  bay  bef oro 
he  left  his  bunk.  The  Commissioner  had  made  up 
his  mind  that  another  good  sniping  day  had 
arrived,  and  was  bound  for  the  shooting  ground 
once  more.  When  they  reached  his  favorite  spot 
they  soon  discovered,  that  as  usual,  there  were  no 
snipe,  and  the  Superintendent  was  forced  to  fall 
back  upon  his  love  of  experiment.  He  wandered 
over  the  beach  and  took  a  look  at  tho  ocean,  he 
climbed  the  sand  hills  or  dunes,  that  the  sea  in  its 
winter  storms  throws  up,  he  pulled  up  plants, 
collected  berries,  and  gathered  strange  flowers,  and 
finally  dug  a  hole  in  the  sand  a  few  yards  from  the 
bay  and  tasted  the  water  that  came  up  in  it,  pro- 
nouncing it  not  good,  but  six  degrees  colder  than 
the  bay  water  and  quite  drinkable.  "  There,"  he 
said,  bringing  some  in  a  cup  to  the  Commissioner, 
who  was  patiently  waiting  in  the  blind  for  that 
"  flight "  to  begin  which  he  had  expected  for  so 


BLUE-FISHING.  305 

many  years,  "taste  that;  if  a  man  had  nothing 
better  he  could  get  along  on  that.  Try  some  more 
of  it,"  as  the  Commissioner  made  grimaces  after 
taking  a  mouthful  which  he  had  promptly  ejected, 
"you  did  not  get  a  good  taste.  It  is  easy  to  spit  it 
out  if  you  don't  like  it." 

"  No,  thank  you,"  replied  the  Commissioner, 
"  I've  been  spitting  ever  since  the  first  trial.  I  pre- 
fer Croton." 

Having  exhausted  the  experimental  resources  of 
the  spot,  he  became  restless  and  demanded  that  we 
should  return  to  the  inlet  and  catch  more  blue-fish. 
To  this  proposition  the  Commissioner  replied  that 
we  had  already  as  many  as  we  could  us.e,  but  Mr. 
Green  was  not  to  be  denied.  "We  can  give  them 
away,"  he  said,  "as  we  did  with  those  last  night 
that  we  left  with  Jesse  Smith,  who  will  be  glad  to 
get  all  that  we  can  bring." 

"  Well,  to  tell  the  truth,"  said  the  Commissioner, 
"  we  are  nearly  out  of  supplies  and  will  have  to 
return  for  them.  For  instance  there  is  no  more 
bread." 

"  But  we  have  ship  biscuit,"  answered  the  Super- 
intendent, who  is  a  sort  of  fish  gourmand,  and  will 
fish  as  long  as  he  can  find  any  use  for  what  he 
catches,  "and  your  men  make  very  good  rolls. 
Oh,  we  can  do  well  enough  without  bread." 

"  But  we  have  no  fresh  meat,"  persisted  the  Com- 
missioner. 

"  Meat ! "  expostulated  Mr.  Green,  evidently  as- 


306  BLUE-FISHING. 

tonished  at  the  suggestion  of  such  a  necessity, 
"why  have'nt  we  all  the  fish  we  need  ?" 

"  Yes,  rather  too  much  if  anything,"  replied  the 
Commissioner  disparagingly,  "but  we  are  out  of 
ice  too." 

"  Oh,  we  can  get  along  without  that,"  insisted 
the  Superintendent,  "I  should  like  to  have  one 
more  day  at  those  blue-fish  outside." 

"  Well,  we  can  try  them  later,  we  will  return  so 
soon  as  we  have  victualled  up." 

"Oh, "was  Mr.  Green's  despondent  answer,  as  he 
shook  his  head  petulantly,  "  I  know  what  that 
means,  we  will  come  back  after  all  the  fish  have 
left  the  country.  My  plan  is  to  go  shooting  or 
fishing  while  there  are  birds  or  fish  to  shoot  or 
catch." 

"But  to  tell  you  the  greatest  difficulty,"  the 
Commissioner  answered  as  a  conclusive  argument, 
"we  are  almost  out  of  water." 

"Water!"  replied  Mr.  Green,  who  was  not  to 
be  overcome  by  any  obstacle.  "  Water  !  why  there 
is  no  trouble  about  that,  you  know  that  what  I 
found  in  that  hole  on  the  shore  was  excellent,  and 
I  can  get  all  we  want  of  it.  Let  the  men  bring  the 
barrels  ashore  at  once  and  I  will  see  that  they  are 
filled/' 

"Good Heavens  !"  exclaimed  the  Commissioner, 
"do  you  suppose  that  we  could  live  on  that  ?" 

"  Yes,  and  very  well  too,  I  have  seen  the  time 
when  I  would  have  been  the  happiest  man  in 


BLUE-FISHING.  307 

America  if  I  could  have  found  such  a  spring  as 
that." 

"  Spring  !  "  observed  the  Commissioner,  with  a 
tone  of  mingled  contempt  and  surprise,  "the 
people  in  your  section  cannot  be  accustomed  to  the 
purest  of  water.  Well  we  will  do  as  you  say,"  he 
added  resignedly.  "I  can  find  something  better 
than  that,  thank  heaven.  I  forgot  to  mention  that 
we  are  out  of  champagne,  but  that  is  of  no  con- 
sequence." 

"  What  is  that  ?  "  exclaimed  the  Superintendent, 
evidently  much  taken  aback  by  the  announcement, 
"  no  champagne  did  you  say  ?  " 

"Yes,"  was  the  indifferent  answer,  "I  only  spoke 
of  it  to  let  you  know,  but  of  course  that  is  of  no 
importance  whatever,  we  can  readily  do  without 
that." 

"No  water,"  said  the  Superintendent,  musingly 
and  apparently  somewhat  confused,  "no  bread,  no 
ice,  no  meat,  and  no  champagne — no  champagne — 
I  think  we  had  better  go  for  fresh  provisions." 


308  SPANISH   MACKEREL. 


SPANISH   MACKEREL. 

There  is  no  better  fish  to  eat  or  more  difficult 
one  to  catch  than  the  Spanish  mackerel.  For  an 
occasional  meal,  the  rich  and  luscious  salmon  may 
be  his  superior  on  the  table,  as  he  certainly  is  on  the 
line.  But  with  frequent  use  the  salmon  palls  on 
the  palate,  and  many  persons  cannot  live  on  them 
even  in  the  woods  with  the  stimulating  sauce  of 
hunger,  and  when  the  only  choice  is  between  fresh 
salmon  and  salt  pork.  To  be  good,  this  as  well  as 
every  kind  of  fish  must  be  properly  cooked,  not 
necessarily  with  wine,  mushrooms,  and  all  man- 
ner of  disguises  or  improvements,  but  with  due 
attention  to  the  immutable  laws  of  fire  and  food. 
No  fish  is  better  prepared  than  when  it  has  been 
plainly  boiled,  if  it  is  accompanied  with  a  good 
drawn  butter  sauce,  but  whether  boiled  or  broiled, 
fried  or  baked,  if  correctly  cooked  none  is  more 
delicate  and  delicious  than  the  Spanish  mackerel. 

He  is  hard  to  catch,  unless  he  is  pursued  with  a 
net,  which  is  the  most  certain  mode  of  taking  all 
species  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  water,  not  that  as 
fine  tackle  or  as  much  skill  is  required-  as  with  the 
trout  or  salmon,  but  for  the  reason  that  he  is  so 
shy.  Some  years  ago  Spanish  mackerel  were  so 
abundant  on  the  southerly  shore  of  Long  Island 
that  boats,  when  fishing  for  blue-fish,  would  sail 
through  miles  of  schools  of  them,  but  rarely  were 


SPANISH   MACKEREL,  309 

more  than  one  or  two  caught.  They  would  leap  in 
graceful  curves  in  front  of  the  approaching  boats, 
showing  their  abundance  and  hunger,  but  when  the 
prow  came  near  they  would  sink,  and  the  trolling 
lines  would  pass  unsuccessfully  over  the  spot  which 
they  had  just  occupied.  Two  old  watermen,  blue- 
fish  followers,  who  had  been  in  the  habit  of  going 
after  that  more  easily  deluded  species  for  years,  de- 
voted their  time  to  ascertaining  what  was  the  best 
squid  or  lure  for  Spanish  mackerel,  but  after  two 
seasons  of  failure  were  compelled  to  abandon  the 
attempt,  not  much  wiser  than  when  they  began. 

Nmety-nine-hundredtbs  of  all  the  Spanish  mack- 
erel which  come  to  our  markets  are  caught  in  nets, 
and  the  line  does  not  yield  sufficient  results  to  make 
its  use  satisfactory  even  for  sport,  but  still  so  beau- 
tiful and  desirable  are  they,  that  a  few  will  now  and 
then  be  accepted  instead  of  ten  times  the  number 
of  their  coarser  brethren.  To  take  these  few,  there 
is  a  choice  of  means,  and  one  thing  which  has  never 
been  used  is  well  worth  trial,  the  natural  food, 
either  a  piece  of  a  moss-bunker  or  a  small  spearing 
fastened  on  a  gang  of  hooks,  and  the  reader  who  is 
in  a  position  to  troll  for  Spanish  mackerel  should 
certainly  make  this  experiment.  The  squids  which 
have  been  found  most  satisfactory  are  of  bone,  the 
metal  ones  being  almost  worthless.  Of  the  bone 
squids  those  which  are  stained  a  bright  red,  or  red 
and  white,  are  the  most  killing.  Others  made  of 
the  heart  of  the  cedar  will  often  do  good  work.  It 
is  supposed  that  the  red  color,  which  gives  the  ap- 


310  SPANISH   MACKEREL. 

pearance  of  blood  is  the  attraction  about  them. 
Lighter  tackle  than  is  in  vogue  for  blue-fish  is  pre- 
ferable, and  if  the  fisherman  is  careful  and  judi- 
cious, he  should  use  gut  lengths  above  the  hook  for 
two  or  three  feet. 

Schools  of  Spanish  mackerel  may  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  kindred  varieties  by  their  method  of 
leaping  from  the  water.  They  do  not  come  out 
with  a  slap  as  the  blue-fish  or  moss-bunkers,  or  with 
the  short  and  sudden  jump  of  the  trout,  but  spring- 
ing with  a  long  vault  they  "throw  a  glittering 
curve  aloft "  in  a  graceful  sweep.  They  make  the 
fabled  arch  of  the  -poet  which  is  attributed  to  many 
fish,  but  is  seen  only  with  these  and  the  tarpon  of 
Florida.  They  are  rapid  swimmers  and  brave 
fighters,  and  must  be  handled  gingerly  where  light 
tackle  is  used. 

Spanish  mackerel  have  for  some  reason  diminished 
of  late  years  on  the  coasts  of  the  Atlantic  States. 
Not  only  are  they  less  freely  captured  by  the  nets, 
but  they  never  collect  in  the  enormous  numbers 
which  were  at  one  time  common.  This  diminution 
is  exceedingly  unfortunate,  and  every  possible  effort 
should  be  made  by  fish-culture  and  otherwise  to 
bring  them  back.  At  one  time  hundreds  of  miles 
square  of  them  could  be  seen  almost  any  day  along 
the  southern  shore  of  Long  Island,  and  a  fishery  at 
Orient,  the  northerly  spur  of  Gardner's  Bay,  was 
very  successful.  Now  no  such  schools  are  ever  met 
with  on  the  south  side,  and  it  has  been  proposed  to 
abandon  the  fishery  at  Orient.  The  innumerable 


SPANISH   MACKEREL. 


311 


blue-fish  boats  which  then  rarely  failed  of  adding 
one  or  two  Spanish  mackerel  to  their  daily  catch  of 
the  coarser  prey,  have  for  the  past  season  averaged 
not  more  than  one  a  week.  It  is  not  positively 
known  whether  their  absence  is  due  to  some  change 
in  the  temperature  of  the  ocean  or  direction  of  the 
Gulf  Stream,  or  the  destruction  of  their  food  by 
the  menhaden  fishermen,  or  their  exclusion  from 
the  spawning  grounds  by  pound-nets,  but  their  loss 
is  severely  felt  by  the  market  fisherman  in  a  mone- 
tary way,  and  by  the  pleasure  angler  in  the  way  of 
sport. 


CAMP  KITCHEN. 


312        COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN, 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN". 

THE  simplicity  of  some  of  the  directions  given  in 
the  "  Game  Fish  of  the  North,"  for  the  preparation 
of  food  in  the  woods  seem  almost  childish.  To 
the  educated  cook  they  are  so,  but  yet  how  many 
thousands  of  our  people  know  less  of  the  simplest 
rules  of  cookery  than  they  do  of  the  Iliad,  and  could 
hardly  keep  themselves  alive  if  they  had  to  do  their 
own  cooking,  no  matter  how  abundant  the  materials 
might  be.  It  is  a  knowledge  which  comes,  but  like 
all  other  knowledge  if  left  to  itself  is  sure  to  come 
wrong  end  foremost.  For  example,  what  discussion 
we  hear  and  articles  we  read,  about  the  proper  way 
to  make  coffee,  and  yet  there  is  nothing  so  simple, 
in  fact  there  is  only  one  secret  about  it,  which  is, 
that  it  can  be  made  in  any  way  provided  the  cook 
does  not  seek  to  ruin  it,  and  find  out  how  with  that 
diligence  of  wrong  doing  which  is  the  sad  crown  of 
most  cooks.  The  French  tell  you  that  the  only 
true  method  is  with  the  percolator,  others  \ull  say 
that  coffee  ought  to  be  boiled,  some  will  assure  yon 
that  the  grains  must  be  put  into  boiling  water, 
while  again  still  others  will  insist  that  it  is  undrink- 
able  unless  an  egg  is  compounded  with  the  grains. 
Those  eminent  authorities  will  probably  be  offended 
to  be  told  that  these  directions  are  pure  nonsense, 
and  that  coffee  is  good  whether  percolated  or  cooked, 


COOKERY   FOE   SPORTSMEN.  313 

whether  put  into  hot  water  or  cold,  whether  mixed 
with  an  egg  or  without.  There  is  but  one  rule 
about  it,  never  allow  it  to  boil  more  than  five 
minutes  at  the  utmost,  and  to  say  three  would  be 
better.  You  may  put  your  coffee  in  a  pitcher  if  you 
please  and  pour  boiling  water  on  it,  and  if  you  will 
then  stir  it  till  it  settles  you  will  find  it  excellent. 
The  simplest  method  for  the  sportsman,  however,  is 
to  put  the  grains  in  the  coffee  pot  in  cold  water, 
and  set  the  latter  on  the  fire,  let  it  come  to  a  boil 
and  boil  not  over  five  minutes,  then  take  it  off  and 
pour  a  half  teacupful  of  cold  water,  the  colder 
the  better,  into  the  pot,  and  then  stand  it  on 
one  side  to  settle,  while  the  other  dishes  are  being 
placed  on  the  table.  To  make  the  highest  class 
coffee  it  is  desirable  to  mix  Java  with  half  its 
quantity  of  Kio  and  quarter  of  Mocha.  A  little 
chiccory  is  an  improvement,  and  the  percolated 
French  coffee  is  not  good  without  it.  But  before 
we  get  to  cooking  it  is  important  to  arrange  what 
the  wanderer  will  carry  with  him  and  how  he 
will  cook  it.  In  these  days  when  the  canned  meat 
and  vegetable  possesses  the  land,  in  spite  of  the 
possible  poison  which  may  lurk  in  its  bosom,  the 
question  is  not  so  much  one  of  kind,  but  of  quantity, 
not  of  choice  but  of  transportation.  If  you  go  by 
water  in  a  boat  or  canoe  you  can  carry  pretty  much 
what  you  like,  and  can  USQ  the  cans  for  ballast  till 
you  want  them  for  food,  but  if  you  travel  by  land 
you  must  restrict  your  supplies  according  to  your 
strength.  Take  hard  bread  or  ship  biscuit  and 


314         COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

plenty  of  pork,  place  the  ship  biscuit  in  a  barrel  so 
that  it  will  not  get  wet,  and  do  not  count  much  on 
baking  bread,  which  is  not  an  easy  task  in  the  woods, 
and  rarely  yields  a  result  commensurate  with  the 
trouble  involved.  Butter  and  eggs  will  keep  pretty 
well,  even  in  hot  weather,  if  care  is  taken  to  place 
them  in  the  shade  and  to  bury  the  crock  of  but- 
ter in  water,  whenever  practicable;  salt  fish  keeps 
well,  but  is  hardly  needed  in  the  woods  where  it  is 
supposed  that  the  fresh  article  is  to  be  found.  Of  all 
the  canned  goods,  the  most  satisfactory  are  corned 
beef  and  the  soups,  which  all  taste  alike,  so  that 
one  kind  is  a  good  as  any  number ;  tomatoes,  peas, 
corn,  and  peaches.  Canners  who  can  always  be  relied 
upon,  are  Eichardson  &  Bobbins,  and  Gordon  & 
Dillworth.  There  may  be  others  just  as  trustworthy, 
but  these  will  never  deceive  you  and  leave  you  to 
starve  on  rotten  stuff  when  you  supposed  you  had 
abundance  of  good  food,  as  it  is  said  was  done  with 
more  than  one  of  the  North  pole  expeditions.  The 
dry  soups  called  the  "  Brunswick  Soups,"  have  a 
nice  flavor  but  little  substance,  they  will  do  if 
mixed  with  something  more  solid.  Currant  jelly 
put  up  in  pails  comes  in  the  best  way  for  use  in 
boating,  and  then  the  empty  pails  can  be  utilized 
for  many  purposes,  notable  for  salting  down  fish. 
Beans  represent  nutriment  in  the  most  condensed 
form  and  are  safe  from  injury  by  the  elements,  they 
are  also  put  up  as  "  Boston  baked  beans  "  in  cans, 
and  in  this  condition  they  can  be  eaten  without 
cooking — an  important  advantage  when  the  rain  is 


COOKERY    FOB   SPORTSMEN.  315 

pouring,  or  the  arrival  at  camp  is  so  late  as  to  pre- 
vent the  preparation  of  a  regular  meal.  Eice  is 
another  article  which  should  by  no  means  be 
omitted.  Sugar  of  course,  tea,  tobacco,  corn  starch, 
which  makes  a  pretty  good  and  simple  dessert, 
smoked  beef,  corn  meal,  and  above  and  beyond  all, 
onions,  which  are  not  only  good  in  themselves,  but 
the  soul  of  so  many  other  good  things.  But  the 
cooking  implements  are  not  to  be  neglected,  remem- 
ber that  ordinarily  cooking  has  to  be  done  at  an  open 
fire  where  saucepans  are  often  a  delusion  and  a 
snare,  by  upsetting  just  at  the  moment  of  fruition, 
and  sadly  disappointing  the  hopes  of  the  hungry 
appetite.  Pots  and  kettles  must  hang  by  their 
handles  from  the  cross  stick,  which  answers  the 
part  of  the  iron  crane  of  an  older  and  yet  more 
complete  civilization.  The  ordinary  frying-pan 
cannot,  however,  be  omitted,  as  without  it  life 
would  be  deprived  of  many  of  its  pleasures.  While 
speaking  of  that,  it  is  well  to  suggest  that  if  the 
fire  is  hot  a  stick  may  be  fastened  to  the  handle  to 
increase  its  length.  If  the  intention  is  to  bake 
bread,  a  baking  oven  with  an  iron  cover  projecting 
beyond  the  edge,  and  having  a  groove  to  hold  ashes 
will  be  necessary,  the  baking  kettle  can  be  used  for 
other  purposes.  A  plain  oyster  broiler  is  another 
excellent  kitchen  utensil,  and  should  not  be  for- 
gotten, it  is  light  to  carry,  is  readily  stowed,  and 
answers  many  good  ends,  of  course  the  kettle  and 
coffee  pot,  spoons,  and  whatever  other  kitchen 
utensils  there  is  room  to  carry  will  be  added. 


316  COOKERY   FOR   SPORTSMEN. 

The  following  recipes  are  taken  from  the  "Turf, 
Field  and  Farm/'  as  they  are  from  a  practical 
voyageur,  and  can  be  compared  with  some  of  mine 
which  are  to  be  found  farther  on  : 

Bread. — Take  two  quarts  flour,  six  teaspoonsful 
of  baking  powder,  and  one  teaspoonful  salt,  and 
mix  well  together,  while  dry;  then  stir  in  cold  water 
till  a  dough  is  formed  of  the  consistency  of  soft 
putty,  and  knead  it  thoroughly,  having  the  baking 
pot  warm  and  rubbed  on  the  inside  with  pork  rind. 
Make  a  ball  of  the  dough,  roll  it  in  dry  flour  and 
place  it  in  the  pot.  Draw  from  the  fire  a  few  coals 
and  hot  ashes,  and  stand  the  pot  on  them  ;  put  on 
the  cover,  and  coals  and  hot  ashes  on  it,  and  every 
fifteen  minutes  change  them  above  and  below,  but 
be  careful  not  to  get  the  pot  too  hot.  The  pot 
must  stand  near  the  fire  and  be  turned  every  few 
minutes  so  as  to  heat  the  whole  circumference.  In 
about  forty  minutes  the  loaf  will  be  done. 

Biscuits. — May  be  made  in  the  same  way  by 
simply  making  the  dough  into  many  small  rolls  in- 
stead of  one  large,  and  they  will  bake  in  fifteen 
minutes. 

Corn  Bread. — Take  three  pints  of  corn  meal  and 
one  pint  of  flour,  six  teaspoonsful  baking  powder, 
one  teaspoonful  salt,  and  mix  well  together  dry. 
Stir  in  water  until  it  reaches  the  consistency  of 
good,  rich  cream.  Have  your  baking  pot  hot  and 
well  greased,  and  pour  the  mixture  in.  Bake  the 
same  as  bread  and  always  be  careful  not  to  bake  too 


COOKERY   FOR   SPORTSMEN".  317 

fast.  Never  let  the  coals  touch  the  bottom  of  the 
pot.  Twenty  or  thirty  minutes  ought  to  bake  the 
loaf,  but  you  can  lift  the  cover  and  try  with  a 
splinter. 

Corn  Cakes. — Can  be  made  in  the  same  manner 
by  mixing  the  composition  a  very  little  thinner  and 
baking  on  the  fry-pan  with  griddle  cakes. 

Fried  Mush. — This  is  one  of  the  best  camp  dishes. 
Place  over  the  fire  one  and  a  half  gallons  of  water  in 
a  pot  to  boil.  Stir  two  quarts  and  a  pint  of  meal 
in  two  quarts  of  cold  water,  and  while  the  water  in 
the  pot  is  boiling  pour  the  mixture  in  and  stir 
rapidly  while  pouring.  (Put  two  tablespoonsful  of 
salt  in  the  pot  before  you  pour  in  the  meal. )  Let  it 
boil  till  quite  stiff,  and  then  pour  into  pans  to  cool. 
When  cold  cut  it  crosswise  into  slices  one  quarter 
inch  thick,  and  lay  flat  in  the  frying-pan  to  cook, 
with  just  pork  fat  enough  to  prevent  its  sticking. 
It  needs  simply  to  be  browned  upon  both  sides. 

Pork. — To  fry,  cut  the  slices  thin,  place  them  in 
the  fry-pan  and  cover  with  cold  water ;  put  over 
the  fire,  and  let  it  come  to  a  boil ;  then  pour  off  the 
water  and  set  on  the  coals  to  fry. 

Pork. — Cut  in  thin  slices,  and  boiled  fast  for 
twenty  minutes,  is  excellent. 

Pork. — A  slice  freshened  and  toasted  on  the  broil- 
ing fork  is  also  excellent. 

Pork. — To  boil  in  bulk  of  six  or  eight  pounds, 
place  in  the  pot  and  cover  with  $old  water  and  put 
over  the  fire  to  boil  for  three  hours.  This  boiled 


318         COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

pork  cut  in  chunks,  and  laid  in  vinegar  forty-eight 
hours  makes  good  souse,  and  can  be  eaten  cold  or 
fried.  Slices  of  it  fried  in  vinegar  can  be  relished. 

Fish. — To  boil.  Have,  a  clean  towel  ready  for 
the  purpose,  and  after  salting  the  fish  wrap  him 
closely  in  it  and  pin  securely,  particularly  at  the 
ends.  Have  the  water  hot  in  the  pot  and  place 
him  in  carefully,  then  throw  in  a  good  handful  of 
salt  and  let  it  boil  ten  minutes  to  the  pound  if  a 
large  fish.  A  fish  of  one  and  a  half  and  two  pounds 
should  boil  twenty  minutes.  When  done,  lift  and 
remove  the  cloth  carefully,  and  serve  plain  with 
Worcestershire  sauce. 

Fish. — To  broil.  Catch  him,  clean  him,  salt  and 
pepper  him  and  impale  him  openly  and  securely  on 
the  broiling  fork.  Have  a  piece  of  fat  pork  two  or 
three  inches  square  lying  in  the  vessel  by  the  fire. 
Hold  the  inside  of  the  fish  over  the  coals  till  hot. 
Then  take  the  pork  and  rub  it  gently  over  the  hot 
surface,  and  hold  again  over  the  hot  coals.  Eepeat 
the  process  till  that  side  is  done  brown,  and  treat 
the  other  side  in  the  same  way.  Eemember  always 
that  fish  must  imperatively  be  cooked  slowly. 

Birds. — To  broil.  The  same  as  above,  only  open 
them  on  the  back,  and  pound  them  on  the  breast 
with  the  potato  masher.  Good  for  teal,  pigeons, 
and  ruffed  grouse. 

Birds. — To  bake.  Pluck  and  draw  the  birds  at 
the  vent,  and  wash  them  clean.  Make  a  stuffing 
by  chopping  fine  the  bread  crusts  and  pieces  which 


COOKERY   FOR   SPORTSMEN.  319 

have  been  saved  for  the  purpose  with  one  or  two 
onions  and  pepper  and  salt;  moisten  with  water, 
and  cram  the  birds  full.  Salt  them  and  place 
them,  back  down,  in  the  baking  pot,  and  proceed 
to  bake  as  directed  for  bread.  Have  a  little  water 
in  the  bottom  of  the  pot  to  begin  with,  and  keep  it 
good  by  lifting  the  cover  and  basting  with  hot 
water  occasionally.  One  hour  for  pigeons  and  birds 
of  that  size,  and  more  time  proportionately  for  larger 
birds. 

Meats. — Of  any  kind  can  be  cooked  in  the  same 
manner. 

Meat. — To  fry.  Have  your  pieces  of  a  size  to 
cover  the  bottom  of  the  fry-pan,  and  pepper  and 
salt  it.  Heat  the  pan  to  almost  redness,  rub  the 
bottom  with  a  pork  rind  and  throw  the  meat  quickly 
on.  Let  it  sear  for  a  few  moments  till  a  light  crusfc 
is  formed  on  the  surface.  Remove  the  meat  to  a 
warm  pan  in  readiness,  heat  the  fry-pan  again  and 
put  the  meat  with  the  raw  side  down.  When 
this  is  seared  the  juice  is  hermetically  sealed  be- 
tween. Now  loosen  it  from  the  bottom,  rub  again 
with  the  pork  rind  and  put  over  coals  to  finish, 
rare  or  done,  to  the  operator's  taste. 

Birds. — To  stew.  If  the  birds  are  small,  like 
snipe,  woodcock,  plover,  pigeons,  or  rail,  cook  them 
whole.  If  large,  quarter  them.  Salt  and  pepper  each 
piece  and  lay  it  in  the  pot,  with  occasionally  a  cold 
buscuit  or  toasted  bread  and  two  or  three  onions, 
cut  small.  When  the  birds  are  all  in,  pour  in  hot 


320  COOKERY   FOB   SPOKTSMEtf. 

water  till  they  are  just  covered,  and  put  on  the  fire 
to  boil.  Add  a  tablespoonful  of  salt.  Take  two 
teaspoonsful  of  flour  and  one  of  meal  in  a  cup,  and 
rub  them  together  with  a  little  pork  fat  and  salt 
and  pepper,  and  stir  into  boiling  water,  till  about  as 
thick  as  cream  and  add  a  wineglassf  ul  of  Worcester- 
shire sauce.  When  the  birds  have  boiled  an  hour, 
pour  this  mixture  in  and  boil  twenty  minutes  longer. 
If  the  birds  are  young  and  tender,  less  time  will 
cook  them.  If  it  boils  down  too  fast,  replenish 
with  boiling  water  from  the  tea  kettle,  so  as  to  keep 
at  least  a  pint  of  liquid  in  the  bottom  of  the  pot  at 
the  finish. 

Meat  can  be  cut  in  pieces  and  stewed  in  the  same 
way  ;  and  cut  potatoes. 

To  Roast  turkey,  goose,  or  large  meat,  have  a 
light,  new  dog  chain,  with  a  good  swivel,  and  a 
hook  made  of  3-16  inch  wire,  sharp  at  the  point, 
and  with  an  eye  into  which  to  snap  the  chain.  In 
front  of  the  fire  drive  two  forked  stakes,  leaving  the 
crotches  three  or  four  feet  above  the  ground,  and 
across  these  lay  a  pole.  Salt  and  pepper  your  meat 
or  bird,  and  hook  it  securely  to  the  chain.  Then 
suspend  it  from  the  pole,  leaving  space  enough 
under  to  place  a  pan  to  catch  the  drippings.  In 
this  pan  have  a  pint  of  hot  water.  Set  the  meat 
whirling  slowly,  and  every  few  minutes,  with  the 
spoon  dip  water  from  the  pan  and  pour  on  it,  letting 
it  run  down  the  sides  back  into  the  pan.  If  the 
meat  is  not  fat,  pin  bits  of  pork  upon  its  surface 
with  little  wooden  skewers.  Keep  the  drippings  in 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.         321 

the  pan  from  drying  by  adding  boiling  water  from 
the  tea  kettle,  very  little  at  a  time,  and  from  these 
drippings  make  gravy  by  stirring  a  little  flour  and 
cold  water  together  and  stirring  this  in  the  drippings 
a  few  minutes  before  dishing.  Keep  the  meat  al- 
ways turning  and  three  hours  will  do  a  ten-pounder. 

Pork  and  Beans. — Put  two  quarts  of  beans  in  a 
pan,  fill  the  pan  with  boiling  water  and  let  it  stand 
over  night,  then  pour  off  the  water,  put  the  beans 
in  a  pot,  season  with  salt  and  pepper,  fill  with  cold 
water,  and  put  over  the  fire  to  boil.  After  they  have 
boiled  one  hour,  throw  a  two-pound  piece  of  pork 
in  with  them  ;  and  let  boil  an  hour  longer.  Boil 
slowly.  Now  lift  the  beans  from  the  pot  with  the 
ladle  and  put  them  in  the  baking  pot,  and  plant 
the  pork  in  the  middle  of  them  and  bake,  as  directed 
for  bread,  thirty  or  forty  minutes.  To  the  residue 
in  the  pot  add  boiling  water  and  boil  for  soup  till 
the  baking  is  done,  and  you  have  most  excellent 
bean  porridge.  The  entire  process  must  be  per- 
formed slowly. 

A  stove  is  a  convenient  thing  to  have,  but  not  an 
easy  one  to  carry,  if  it  is  not  too  heavy  and  does  not 
occupy  too  much  room  it  is  sure  to  be  too  dirty 
after  it  has  once  been  used.  A  make  shift  can  be 
extemporized  wherever  flat  stones  can  be  had,  and 
will  be  found  infinitely  preferable  to  the  ordinary 
open  fire.  All  that  the  traveller  will  have  to  carry 
with  him,  will  be  two  lengths  of  common  stove- 
pipe, the  rest  is  built  at  the  camping  ground,  and 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

can  be  erected  in  so  short  a  time  that  the  trouble  of 
moving  house  will  not  be  serious.  Having  selected 
the  flat  stones,  lay  them  up  in  the  shape  of  a  horse- 
shoe, the  sides  being  about  three  feet  long,  and 
about  nine  inches  apart  inside,  that  is,  the  fire  place 
will  be  nine  inches  wide,  or  more  if  desirable.  At 
the  further  end,  the  bend  of  the  horse-shoe,  the 
pipe  is  inserted,  it  can  be  held  in  place  by  wires  to 
neighboring  trees,  and  a  stone  placed  on  top  will 
serve  as  a  damper.  All  chinks  between  the  stones 
have  to  be  well  filled  with  clay  or  mud,  or  earth 
banked  up  against  the  outside,  or  what  is  better  yet, 
the  entire  affair  can  be  lowered  by  having  a  place 
dug  for  it.  Large  flat  stones  must  then  be  laid 
over  the  top  and  the  work  is  done.  One  trial  will 
make  any  person  an  adept  in  building  it,  and  it  will 
be  found  a  luxury  that  to  appreciate  needs  only  to 
be  tried.  This  stove  can  be  erected  within  the  tent, 
if  the  trench  is  dug  to  the  outside  and  covered  with 
boards,  and  if  there  is  a  hole  in  the  top  for  the 
escape  of  smoke ;  and  instead  of  stones  sheet-iron 
may  be  used  for  the  stove  cover. 

The  angler  will  often  on  his  lucky  days  take 
more  fish  than  he  can  turn  to  account,  but  which 
he  will  probably  find  use  for  before  his  trip  is  over. 
These  can  be  salted,  and  of  a  morning  nothing  is 
better  than  a  salted  lake  trout  or  blue-fish.  Those 
who  have  only  eaten  cod  and  mackerel  do  not  know 
what  a  salt  fish  is.  Split  them,  and  cut  off  the 
head  and  tail  and  take  out  the  back  bones,  bones 
do  no  especial  harm,  and  are  excellent  things  to  buy 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  323 

at  twenty  cents  a  pound  for  the  good  of  trade, 
but  when  you  are  doing  your  own  curing  it  is  as 
well  to  leave  them  out,  or  keep  a  separate  place  for 
them.  Pack  the  fish  cut  to  the  proper  size  in  a 
half  barrel  or  pail,  flesh  side  down,  so  that  whatever 
of  dirt  may  be  in  the  salt  will  not  get  into  them, 
but  will  remain  on  the  skin.  Upon  each  layer  of 
fish  lay  a  thin  layer  of  salt,  rock  salt  will  answer,  or 
common  table  salt  can  be  used.  Proceed  in  this 
way  till  the  fish  are  all  in,  or  the  receptable  is 
filled,  taking  care  to  put  enough  salt  on  top  to  pre- 
vent its  melting  off  when  it  turns  to  brine,  and 
leaving  the  fish  bare  so  that  they  will  spoil.  That  is 
the  only  risk  in  the  operation,  put  down  in  this  man- 
ner they  will  keep  in  the  hottest  weather  for  weeks. 
Where  the  sportsmen  intend  to  remain  in  one  place, 
the  most  convenient  way  of  living  will  be  to  put  up 
a  regular  house,  either  purchased  ready  to  set  up 
with  a  few  bolts,  or  built  by  the  party  out  of  boards 
taken  for  the  purpose,  if  any  one  is  sufficiently 
skilled  in  carpentry  to  direct.  Doors  and  windows 
are  a  luxury,  although  the  open  tent  is  considered 
by  some  as  the  more  healthy.  The  "Hoffmire" 
house,  as  it  is  called,  is  admirably  adapted  for  trans- 
portation, and  is  constructed  by  persons  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  necessities  of  woodsmen.  Such 
extravagances  are  the  exception,  not  the  rule  of 
"  summering"  in  the  wilderness,  and  it  is  our  gen- 
eral fate  to  be  without  them.  We  must  sleep  in  the 
tent,  must  cook  at  the  open  fire,  fight  mosquitoes 
and  black  flies  as  well  as  we  can,  without  nets  to 


324         COOKERY  FOE  SPORTSMEK. 

keep  them  out,  must  endure  wet  and  cold,  and 
learn  to  rough  it  and  have  a  good  time  with  the 
aid  of  our  own  resources.  Among  the  principal  of 
these,  if  properly  developed,  will  be  a  knowledge  of 
some  of  the  simplest  rules  of  the  cuisine. 

AMOXG  all  the  arts  and  sciences  that  improve,  ele- 
vate, or  embellish  society,  or  that  contribute  to  the 
pleasure  and  comfort  of  mankind,  the  one  that  is  the 
most  necessary  to  health  and  happiness,  has  produced 
the  fewest  great  geniuses,  and  is  the  least  under 
stood,  is  cookery.  Amid  the  thousands  of  men  and 
women  who  pretend  to  a  knowledge  of  its  mysteries, 
how  difficult  is  it  among  the  former,  and  how  im- 
possible among  the  latter,  to  find  a  good  cook — 
one  who  is  devoted  heart  and  soul  to  the  intricate 
science,  who  passes  days  in  pondering  and  nights  in 
dreaming  of  these  delicate  combinations  that  consti- 
tute pure  and  refined  taste ! 

The  world  has  produced  in  hundreds  painters  that 
delight  the  eye.  composers  that  enrapture  the  ear, 
scholars  that  convince  the  intellect,  poets  that  touch 
the  heart ;  but  of  culinary  artists  that  enchant  the 
stomach,  the  truly  great  may  be  counted  on  the  fin- 
gers. In  ancient  times  more  attention  was  paid  to 
gastrology,  but  the  degraded  taste  that  could  em- 
ploy an  emetic  to  enable  the  repetition  of  indul- 
gence, and  the  limited  resources  of  restricted  na- 
tional intercourse,  have  left  us  little  of  value  to  be 
gleaned  for  the  experience  of  antiquity.  The  great 
masters  of  the  kitchen  of  those  times  have  passed 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  325 

away  into  oblivion,  or  have  left  only  a  few  crude 
dishes,  remarkable  more  for  their  extravagance  than 
their  excellence.  It  was  a  deficiency  of  knowledge 
and  high  art  that  drove  the  gourmands  of  early  days 
to  peacocks'  brains,  nightingales'  tongues,  and  dis- 
solved jewels. 

The  middle  ages  have  left  us  some  right  royal 
dishes ;  the  boar's  head,  the  roasted  ox,  the  black 
pudding,  niince-pies,  the  plum-pudding ;  remarka- 
ble, however,  more  for  their  substantial  character 
that  satisfied  a  vigorous  appetite,  than  for  delicacy 
that  would  gratify  an  educated  taste.  During  this 
period,  however,  many  drinks  attained  a  perfection 
that  has  never  been  improved  on,  and  those  deli- 
cious combinations  that  were  called  cardinal,  bishop, 
punch,  and  the  hearty  sack,  are  almost  as  well 
known  and  as  great  favorites  now  as  then.  There 
is  nothing  to  be  drawn  from  the  dark  ages  in  the 
least  elevating  to  the  science  of  gastronomy,  and  we 
must  look  to  modern  times,  and  mainly  to  the 
French  nation,  for  our  highest  authorities  and  tru- 
est instruction. 

Catherine  de  Medicis  introduced  the  art  of  cook- 
ery into  France,  and  liqueurs  were  invented  during 
the  rt'ign  of  Louis  XIV.,  since  which  time  the  re- 
vered names  of  Vatel,  Soyer,  Ude,  Kitchiner,  Be- 
chamel, and  Carmel  have  become  household  words 
throughout  Christendom  ;  their  skill  has  shed  a  be- 
ign  influence  over  mankind,  has  restored  invalids 
to  health,  and  brought  peace  to  families ;  they  are 
quoted  and  looked  upon  with  deep  respect  by  all. 


326       COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

Coarse  minds,  to  whom  the  allurements  of  gastro- 
nomy are  incomprehensible,  consider  cooking  vul- 
gar;  while  a  few  pitiable  individuals  are  created 
without  the  sense  to  distinguish  the  tasty  from  the 
tasteless,  as  there  are  persons  without  an  eye  for 
the  beauties  of  nature  or  an  ear  for  the  harmony  of 
sounds.  These  unfortunates  deserve  our  sympathy  ; 
but  for  the  individual  who  affects  to  despise  the 
pleasures  of  the  table,  as  loftily  placing  himself  above 
what  he  terms  grovelling  appetites,  nothing  is  ap- 
propriate but  contempt.  Who  would  believe  or 
respect  the  man  who  claimed  that  his  inability  to 
distinguish  green  from  red  was  a  credit  to  him? 
Or  could  tolerate  one  who  was  filled  with  ostenta- 
tious pride  because,  by  a  wretched  malformation,  he 
could  not  tell  Old  Hundred  from  Casta  Diva  ? 

The  sense  of  taste  is  as  noble,  and  as  capable  of 
education  and  improvement,  as  the  art  of  the  painter 
or  the  musician.  The  stomach  being  the  governor, 
master,  and  director  of  the  body,  when  it  is  pleased 
the  intellect  works  with  force,  the  eye  and  ear  are 
in  full  play,  and  the  nerves  and  muscles  tingle  with 
animation;  when  it  is  sick  or  exhausted  the  eye 
grows  dull,  the  intellect  feeble,  the  ear  inaccurate, 
and  the  whole  body  drooping  and  spiritless.  It  has 
its  ramifications  in  every  part  of  the  system,  and 
controls  as  inferiors  the  other  organs.  An  ill-cooked 
dinner  has  lost  many  a  battle,  ruined  many  an  indi- 
vidual, and  disgraced  many  a  genius ;  it  is  said  that 
an  indigestible  ragout  cost  Napoleon  his  crown. 

Life  is  dear  to  all,  and  yet  persons  are  continually 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.     327 

committing  a  disagreeable  and  prolonged  suicide, 
accompanied  with  painful  indigestions  and  untold 
sufferings,  by  attempting  to  despise  the  rules  that 
the  imperative  stomach  has  laid  down.  Under  cer- 
tain well-known  chemical  laws,  food  is  rendered 
both  digestible  and  palatable  by  special  modes  of 
preparation,  and  indigestible  and  unpalatable  by 
other  modes.  The  same  piece  of  meat  that,  fried, 
will  resemble  shoe-leather,  and  afford  neither  plea- 
sure nor  sustenance,  if  nicely  broiled  would  prove 
agreeable  to  the  palate  and  wholesome  to  the  body. 

Our.  country  is  overflowing  with  abundance  of  the 
raw  material  from  which  good  dinners  are  made; 
but  we  are  absolutely  without  cooks,  and  the  average 
American  life  is  shortened  one-tenth  by  the  misera- 
ble ignorance  of  the  rules  of  cookery  that  pervades  all 
classes.  The  farmer  bolts  his  heavy  griddle  cakes 
and  tasteless  fried  meats ;  while  the  wealthy  citizen 
devours  rich  gravies  and  ill-prepared  compounds. 
The  former  loses  his  teeth,  the  latter  incurs  the 
thousand  horrors  of  dyspepsia,  and  both  shorten 
their  lives. 

But  to  rise  above  the  unimportant  consideration 
of  mere  life,  which  is  held  in  our  land  at  its  true 
value,  and  regarding  cookery  from  a  loftier  point 
of  view,  is  there  not  something  noble  in  the  art  that 
moulds  together  the  various  subjects  of  taste,  and 
builds  up  an  exquisite,  soul-thrilling  composition  ?  Is 
not  that  man  worthy  of  our  deepest  admiration,  who, 
not  only  from  the  wealth  of  materials  prepares  the 
perfection  of  luxury,  but  when  reduced  to  the  sim- 


328  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

plest  articles,  still  manages  to  gratify  the  most  deli- 
cate  and  exacting  of  our  organs  ?  Who  has  not  felt 
his  heart  expand  as  he  surveyed  a  royal  feast ;  his 
affections  become  purified,  his  feelings  elevated,  as 
dish  followed  dish,  and  each  proved  itself  worthy  of 
the  other;  and  at  last  has  not  taken  a  gentler  view 
of  human  kind  when  contentment  filled  his  soul  ? 
A  good  dinner  encourages  generosity,  begets  sympa- 
thy, increases  geniality,  while  it  strengthens  the 
intellect  and  the  nerves;  a  bad  dinner  produces  ill- 
nature,  leads  to  discontent  and  quarrelling,  dulls 
the  mind,  and  injures  the  body.  The  former  aids 
Christianity  and  promotes  virtue ;  the  latter  is  the 
bold  accomplice  of  vice  and  crime ;  evil  humors  can- 
not exist  in  the  body  without  spreading  to  the  mind, 
and  vices  in  the  former  create  vices  in  the  latter. 
Controlled  by  that  complacency  which  is  the  sto- 
mach's return  for  kind  treatment,  the  evil  passions 
sleep,  and  fading  gradually,  lose  half  their  strength; 
whereas,  if  aggravated  by  perpetual  dissatisfaction 
and  uneasiness,  they  become  daily  more  violent,  till 
they  disdain  command  and  burst  forth  in  unrestrain- 
ed fury.  So  that  the  soul,  even,  may  be  endangered 
by  bad  cookery.  The  civilization  and  power  of  na- 
tions advance  in  proportion  to  their  improvement 
in  their  cuisine,  and  the  reformation  is  said  to  be 
due  to  the  strong  Teutonic  impatience  of  fast  days. 
A  coarse  taste  in  eating  is  as  sure  an  indication  of 
coarseness  in  mind  and  habits,  as  delicacy  of  taste  is 
of  delicacy  and  refinement  in  other  particulars.  As 
the  more  vulgar  desires  are  controlled  by  the 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.        329 

higher  impulses  of  the  mind,  and  clean  hands  are 
often  the  index  of  a  clean  heart,  so  purity  of  appe- 
tite usually  accompanies  purity  of  soul.  Nothing 
condemns  the  vulgar  man  more  quickly  than  the 
nature  of  his  appetite,  and  his  mode  of  gratifying  it ; 
driven  on  like  the  beasts  by  hunger,  he  thinks  only 
of  the  readiest  and  quickest  mode  of  satisfying  the 
unpleasant  craving,  and  never  dreams  there  can  be 
anything  intellectual  in  a  dinner.  The  Americans, 
as  a  nation,  are  ignorant  of  the  first  principles  of 
dining;  in  private,  they  ruin  their  digestkms ;  in  pub- 
lic, they  disgust  their  fellows.  With  that  practical 
turn  for  which  they  are  famous  as  a  body,  they  de- 
vote themselv-es  to  what  is  profitable ;  and  the  arts 
of  sculpture,  painting,  and  gastronomy  are  just  begin- 
ning  to  be  appreciated. 

Those  huge  dishes  that  delight  hungry,  vulgar 
John  Bull,  such  as  roast  beef,  boiled  mutton,  and 
the  like,  still  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  active 
American.  They  are  well  enough  in  their  way, 
and  when  properly  prepared,  but  if  underdone,  or 
overdone,  or  done  too  fast,  or  too  slow,  they  be- 
come at  once  indigestible  and  unpalatable.  Beyond 
them  is  a  vast  realm  of  excellent  cookery,  unex- 
plored by  the  ordinary  household,  a  land  of  econ- 
omy which  should  be  practiced  everywhere,  and 
which  the  sportsman  must  learn  to  practice,  if  he 
would  live.  He  cannot  order  a  fresh  joint  from 
the  butcher  when  the  old  one  has  been  thrown 
away  half  consumed.  He  cannot  run  around  to 
to  the  grocer  and  announce  that  his  potatoes  are 


330  COOKERY  FOE  SPOKTSMEN. 

out.  He  must  learn  the  art  of  warming  over  and 
using  up  the  remains  of  the  feast. 

So  must  it  be  while  ignorant  foreign  cooks — 
whose  only  claim  to  the  title  consists  in  having  spoil- 
ed thousands  of  potatoes,  in  having  rarely  seen,  and 
never  cooked,  a  pieco  of  meat,  and  only  dreamed  of 
coffee — possess  our  kitchens  and  rule  the  roast ;  and 
as  it  is  impossible  for  the  master  of  the  house,  and 
would  be  unladylike  in  the  mistress,  to  superintend 
the  dinner,  the  only  spot  for  truly  scientific  cookery 
is  in  the  \wods.  There,  under  the  blue  vault  of 
heaven,  where  the  shade  of  some  friendly  tree  tem- 
pers the  combined  heat  of  sun  and  fire,  accompanied 
only  by  the  interested  and  appreciative  guides,  with 
the  hot  wood  fire  rapidly  forming  its  pile  of  glowing 
coals,  can  the  contemplative  man,  tempted  by  appe- 
tite and  opportunity,  devote  himself  to  the  higher 
branches  of  epicurism.  Not  that  the  materials  are 
plentiful,  rich,  or  costly,  but  working  up  from  the 
very  plainness  of  his  fare  a  more  gratifying  com- 
pound. With  that  bed  of  coals  suggesting  broiling, 
and  that  dancing,  smokeless  blaze  inviting  roasting, 
no  intelligent  being  would  think  of  frying  meat. 

Under  such  circumstances,  the  larder  being  neces- 
sarily limited,  and  repetition  threatening  to  breed 
disgust,  ingenuity  is  sharpened  and  exercised  to 
produce  variety ;  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  pow- 
er of  different  sauces  is  obtained,  and  new  modes  of 
dressing  simple  articles  invented.  It  is  to  lead  the 
mind  of  the  reader  in  this  direction,  and  not  with 
the  hope  of  instructing  stupid  cooks,  or  educating 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  331 

American  taste,  that  this  short  article  on  cookery  is 
written  ;  and  if  the  life  in  the  woods,  or  on  the  water, 
of  our  sportsmen  shall  be  in  a  degree  improved  by 
the  effort,  the  main  object  will  be  attained. 

The  materials  generally  at  the  disposal  of  the 
hunter  or  fisherman  on  the  coast  and  in  the  woods 
consist  of  fish,  oysters,  clams,  ducks,  game  birds, 
and  venison ;  while  he  will  carry  of  necessity  pork, 
ship-biscuit,  salt,  and  pepper,  and.  if  possible,  eggs, 
flour,  sauces,  Indian-meal,  and  as  many  of  the  minor 
aids  of  a  good  cuisine  as  his  means  of  transportation 
will  admit. 

Ko  attempt  will  be  made  to  confuse  the  reader 
with  complicated  directions  for  the  construction  of 
highly  seasoned  and  strangely  named  French  dishes, 
but  the  simplest  and  readiest  mode  of  cooking  each 
article  will  be  given,  with  instructions  in  varying 
the  effect.  If  the  enthusiasm  inherent  in  the  sub- 
ject shall  occasionally  carry  the  writer  away  and 
lead  him  to  indulge  in  what  the  reader — living  on 
hard  tack  and  salt  pork — may  regard  as  vain  ima- 
ginings, the  weakness  of  man  in  the  contemplation 
of  so  vast  a  subject  must  be  the  excuse ;  and  the 
disciple  need  undertake  nothing  for  which  he  has 
not  the  materials. 

There  is  one  simple  rule  which  can  be  understood 
by  everybody,  and  should  be  printed  in  letters  of 
gold,  and  hung  up  in  every  kitchen  in  the  land. 
It  is  "stew  slow."  Bad  grammar  but  the  first  of 
the  kitchen  code.  Any  meat  stewed  rapidly  may 
be  good,  although  that  is  doubtful,  for  the  pigs;  it 


332  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

certainly  is  unfit  for  food,  and  had  better  be  thrown 
away  than  put  into  the  human  stomach. 

OYSTER  STEW. 

The  American  oyster,  to  the  thoughtful  mind,  pre- 
sents itself  almost  as  an  object  of  veneration,  and 
would  among  barbarous  nations  have  altars  raised 
to  its  honor ;  to  the  practical  mind  it  is  a  mine  ot 
luxury,  a  very  Golconda  of  epicurean  wealth ;  raw 
broiled,  baked,  roasted,  fried,  stewed,  or  scolloped, 
it  is  the  tit-bit  of  perfection,  and  in  every  mode  may 
be  varied  extensively ;  it  takes  all  flavors,  and  is 
delicious  without  any ;  it  is  improved  by  all  sauces, 
and  needs  none.  It  accords  with  every  other  dish, 
or  makes  a  dinner  alone.  The  subject  has  never 
been  half  explored,  much  less  exhausted. 

A  stew  may  be  made  with  crackers  or  flour,  with 
celery,  cheese,  or  milk,  and  with  or  without  sauces ; 
but  in  every  instance  the  juice  must  be  separated 
from  the  oysters  and  well  cooked  before  the  latter 
are  added,  or  they  will  be  over-done,  shrivelled,  and 
ruined.  The  simplest  mode  is  to  put  some  pepper, 
salt,  and  butter  in  the  juice,  boil  it  five  minutes,  add 
the  oysters,  and  cook  for  one  minute  longer. 

Or  you  may  add  to  the  juice  crackers  pounded 
fine  and  rolled  in  butter,  and  some  celery  chopped 
fine,  or  a  little  cheese  and  Worcestershire  or  Har- 
vey sauce  ;  or  you  may  put  a  table-spoonful  of  flour 
and  as  much  butter  in  a  cup,  and  having  rubbed 
them  together  and  added  a  little  of  the  warm  juice, 
may  mix  this  slowly  with  the  rest.  This  must 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.        333 

all  be  done  before  the  oysters  are  added;  and  where 
flour  is  used,  care  must  be  taken  to  mix  it  first  with 
a  small  quantity  of  fluid,  or  it  will  lump.  A  dry 
stew,  which  is  preferred  by  many,  is  made  by  cook- 
ing  the  oysters,  from  which  the  liquor  has  been  care- 
fully strained,  in  butter,  salt,  pepper,  and  sauce. 

FKIED  OYSTERS. 

Dry  each  oyster  separately  on  a  towel ;  dip  them 
in  the  yolk  of  eggs  beaten  up,  and  then  in  pounded 
crackers  that  have  been  seasoned  with  salt  and 
pepper  ;  heat  butter  or  pork  drippings  in  the  frying- 
pan,  and  cook  the  oysters  over  a  slow  fire,  turning 
them  frequently.  Do  not  use  too  much  butter  or 
drippings,  but  add  fresh  as  required,  so  as  to  leave 
the  oysters  dry  when  done.  A  clean  tin  pan  is  the 
best,  and  red  pepper  preferable  to  black.  Lard  is 
detestable  for  frying  anything,  and  salad  oil  is  per- 
fection. If  black  pepper  is  ever  used,  it  should  be 
purchased  whole  and  ground  by  hand,  as  the  fine 
pepper  is  generally  adulterated  and  flavorless. 

ROASTED  OYSTERS. 

To  roast  an  oyster,  it  is  simply  put  on  the  fire  till 
it  opens,  when  the  shell  is  forced  off,  and  it  is  eaten 
from  a  hot,  concave  shell,  in  which  butter  has  been 
melted  with  vinegar,  salt,  and  pepper ;  or  it  may  be 
taken  out  when  half  done,  and  cooked  in  a  pan  with 
its  own  liquor,  salt,  pepper,  and  a  little  butter. 

BKOILED  OYSTERS 
Are  prepared  as  for  frying,  then  dipped  in  melted 


334  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

butter,  placed  in  a  double  gridiron,  and  cooked  over 
live  coals. 

SCOLLOPED  OYSTERS 

Are  placed  in  a  deep  dish  with  butter  and  bread- 
crumbs, or  pounded  crackers  well  seasoned  and 
baked. 

CLAM-BAKE. 

The  only  proper  mode  of  baking  clams  was  dis- 
covered by  the  aborigines,  and  was  invariably  prac- 
tised by  them  on  their  yearly  visitations  to  the  sea  ; 
the  clams  are  placed  on  a  flat  rock  side  by  side,  with 
their  sharp  edges  down  and  the  valves  up,  and  when 
so  arranged  in  sufficient  numbers,  are  kept  in  their 
places  by  a  surrounding  circle  of  stones.  A  large 
fire  is  built  over  them  and  allowed  to  burn  for  about 
twenty  minutes,  when  it  is  cleared  away  and  the 
clams  are  extracted  from  the  ashes,  overflowing  with 
juiciness  and  steaming  with  aroma.  Burnt  fingers 
and  lips  add  to  the  pleasures  of  an  Indian  clam- 
bake. The  best  sauce  is  pepper-vinegar. 

CLAM  OK  FISH-CHOWDER. 

Pork,  potatoes,  butter,  crackers,  sauce,  salt,  pep- 
per, vegetables,  and  meat,  if  any  can  be  had,  clams 
or  fish,  or  both,  are  covered  with  water,  placed  in  a 
close  vessel,  and  stewed  slowly  till  patience  is  ex- 
hausted, appetite  insists  upon  indulgence,  or  the 
mess  threatens  to  burn.  The  large  articles  are  cut 
in  pieces  of  an  inch  square  or  thereabouts,  and  may 
be  highly  seasoned. 

13 


COOKERY  FOE  SPORTSMEN.  335 

STEWED  CLAMS,  OR  CLAM  SOUP. 
Hard  clams  are  not  fit  to  eat,  stew  them  as  you 
will.  Soft  clams,  after  the  tough  parts  are  removed, 
are  excellent  stewed  with  a  little  batter,  or  butter 
rolled  in  flour,  as  directed  for  oysters;  but  being 
richer  than  oysters,  they  do  not  need  so  many  addi- 
tions. The  soup  is  made  by  thinning  the  juice  be- 
fore it  boils  with  milk,  which  will  curdle  if  thrown 
into  the  boiling  liquid.  Hard  clams  make  a  good 
soup  if  they  are  cut  fine  and  not  eaten. 

FRIED  OB  BROILED  CLAMS. 
Soft  clams  may  be  prepared  as  directed  for  oys- 
ters, the  tough  parts  being  first  removed. 

SCRAMBLED  EGGS. 

Eggs  are  broken  one  by  one  in  a  cup  to  make 
sure  they  are  fresh,  and  then  thrown  into  a  pan 
with  a  lump  of  butter,  some  salt  and  pepper,  and 
stirred  carefully,  so  as  not  to  break  the  yolks  imme- 
diately, over  a  slow  fire  till  the  whole  is  almost  hard. 
They  had  better  be  too  soft  than  too  firm. 

POACHED  EGGS 

Are  broken  into  a  cup  and  poured  one  by  one 
carefully  into  hot  water,  and  when  done  are  ladled 
out  on  a  flat,  broad  stick  or  spoon,  so  as  to  let  the 
water  drain  off. 

FRIED  EGGS. 

Fried  eggs  are  broken  one  at  a  time  into  a  cup, 
and  poured  into  hot  grease. 


336  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

OMELETTE. 

Eggs  are  broken  into  milk,  thickened  with  a 
moderate  quantity  of  flour,  salt,  and  pepper,  which 
is  beaten  up  and  fried  with  butter ;  parsley,  ham,  or 
bacon  may  be  added,  cut  fine. 

SMOKED  BEEP 

May  be  fried  in  grease  with  a  little  pepper,  or 
may  be  stewed  in  milk.  A  little  flour  rubbed  with 
butter  in  a  cup,  and  mixed  with  some  of  the  warm 
gravy,  may  be  added. 

BOILED  FISH. 

There  are  two  modes  of  boiling  fish  ;  one  recom- 
mended by  Sir  Humphrey  Davy,  and  the  other  by 
the  great  Soyer.  By  the  former,  the  fish  cut  into 
pieces  is  thrown  into  boiling  salt  and  water,  one 
piece  at  a  time,  and  the  largest  first ;  by  the  latter 
it  is  placed  in  cold  water,  heated  slowly,  and  allowed 
to  simmer  by  the  fire.  The  former,  in  his  Salmonia^ 
page  120,  quotes  chemistry  to  show  that  by  the 
excessive  heat  the  curd  is  coagulated  at  once  and 
preserved  ;  the  latter  refers  to  his  unequalled  repu- 
tation. I  have  generally  pursued  the  former  course 
as  the  more  rapid  ;  the  water  must  be  allowed 
to  recover  its  heat  after  each  piece  is  thrown  in,  so 
that  it  may  be  always  intensely  hot ;  about  fifteen 
minutes  of  hard  boiling  will  be  required,  but  the 
only  reliable  plan  is  to  examine  and  try  the  fish  with 
a  fork  from  time  to  time,  as  it  is  ruined  if  cooked 
too  long,  and  uneatable  if  not  cooked  enough. 


COOKERY  FOE  SPORTSMEN.        337 

In  Soyer's  receipt  the  fish  is  placed  in  cold  water 
that  contains  a  pound  of  salt  to  every  six  quarts, 
which  is  then  heated  to  the  boiling  point  and  allowed 
to  simmer  for  half  an  hour  if  the  fish  weighs  four 
pounds,  for  three-quarters  if  it  weighs  eight  pounds, 
and  so  on. 

Of  course,  a  fish  must  be  scaled  ere  it  is  cooked, 
and  should  be  cleaned,  although  if  it  is  cooked  whole 
and  the  party  is  hurried,  the  latter  process  may  be 
omitted  without  injury;  the  entrails,  however,  are 
not  to  be  eaten. 

A  little  of  the  liquor  in  which  the  fish  has  been 
boiled,  with  Harvey  or  Anchovy  sauce,  or  Chili 
vinegar,  makes  an  excellent  dressing ;  but  the  best 
sauce  is  obtained  by  dissolving  a  spoonful  of  flour, 
that  has  been  thoroughly  mixed  with  a  lump  of  but- 
ter, in  a  little  warm  water,  and  boiling  the  whole 
for  a  few  minutes.  This  may  be  prepared  in  any  tin 
pot,  and,  cooked  with  chopped  parsley,  is  the  making 
of  boiled  fish. 

FRIED  FISH. 

The  fish,  which  should  be  small,  after  being  cleaned 
and  scaled,  are  dipped  in  water  and  then  in  Indian- 
meal,  and  fried,  well  seasoned  with  pepper,  in  the 
pan  with  pork  drippings  or  butter.  If  the  latter  is 
used,  salt  must  be  added.  Trout  are  excellent  pre- 
pared in  this  manner. 

BROILED  Fisn. 
Fish  for  broiling  may  be  larger  than  for  frying ; 


338    *  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

they  are  scaled,  split  open  down  the  back,  and  well 
seasoned.  They  are  placed  on  the  gridiron  and 
approached  for  a  few  moments  close  to  the  fire,  so 
as  to  sear  the  pores.  They  are  then  cooked  more 
slowly  and  well  basted  with  butter,  unless  a  piece 
of  thin  pork  is  laid  across  them,  the  grease  from 
which  will  answer  the  place  of  basting.  A  favorite 
way  to  cook  a  shad  or  blue-fish  alongshore  is  to  split 
him  entirely  in  two,  and  tacking  the  halves,  seasoned 
and  buttered,  to  shingles,  to  roast  them  rapidly ;  each 
man  eats  from  his  own  hot  shingle. 

BAKED  FISH. 

Small  fish  or  pieces  of  fish,  cleaned,  scaled,  and 
seasoned,  may  be  rolled  in  oiled  paper  and  baked  in 
the  ashes  ;  or  a  whote  fish  unsealed,  but  cleaned 
and  wiped  dry,  may  be  rolled  in  damp  leaves  and 
buried  deep  in  hot  ashes.  When  it  is  done,  the  skin 
and  scales  will  come  off  together. 

STEWED  FISH. 

Cold  fish  may  be  cut  up  into  small  pieces,  sea- 
soned and  stewed  in  water,  with  a  little  salt  pork. 
If  milk  is  substituted  for  water,  the  dish  will  be 
more  palatable. 

LOBSTERS 

Must  be  boiled  when  alive  till  they  turn  red. 
For  a  dressing  the  yolk  of  a  raw  egg  is  beaten  up, 
with  a  tea-cupful  of  salad  oil  poured  in  very  slowly 
till  it  is  firm  ;  a  tea-spoonful  of  mustard,  a  little  salt, 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  339 

pepper,  and  vinegar  are  added  and  beaten  together, 
after  which  more  oil  may  be  added,  if  necessary. 
The  meat  is  picked  from  the  shell,  cut  up  fine,  and 
mixed  with  a  few  spoonfuls  of  vinegar ;  the  dressing 
is  then  poured  over  it. 

Or  the  dressing  may  be  omitted,  and  the  meat 
cut  into  pieces  may  be  warmed  up  in  milk  and  but- 
ter, with  pepper  and  salt,  and  served  hot. 

POTATOES 

Are  usually  boiled  by  being  thrown,  after  they  have 
been  washed,  into  an  iron  pot  filled  with  cold  water 
and  a  little  salt,  placed  on  the  fire  till  the  water 
boils,  and  allowed  to  cook  till  they  are  done,  which 
is  ascertained  by  puncturing  them  with  a  fork.  The 
water  is  then  poured  off,  and  they  are  allowed  to 
steam  near  the  fire  for  a  few  minutes. 

When  cold  they  may  be  cut  up  and  fried  in 
grease,  or  mashed  and  stewed  in  milk,  or  mixed 
with  small  pieces  of  salt  pork  or  meat,  and  made 
into  a  species  of  hash ;  in  either  case  they  must  be 
well  seasoned,  and  are  improved  by  the  addition  of 
onions. 

The  best  way  to  fry  them  is  to  slit  thin  pieces 
from  the  raw  potatoes,  and  letting  them  drop  into 
cold  water,  leave  them  for  a  few  minutes.  When 
taken  out  and  fried  in  butter,  they  will  be  crisp  and 
fresh. 

Potatoes  are  tender  and  mealy  if  simply  baked 
in  hot  ashes,  which  can  be  done  by  burying  them 
under  the  fire  until  thev  become  soft. 


340        COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

BOILED  MEATS. 

Meats  are  placed  in  cold  water  with  a  little  salt, 
and  boiled  slowly,  the  scurn  that  rises  being  re- 
moved from  time  to  time. 

FRIED  PORK  OR  BACON. 

Pork  is  cut  into  thin  slices  and  freshened  by  being 
heated  in  the  frying-pan  with  a  little  water.  It  is 
fried  without  any  addition  whatever,  and  the  grease 
fried  out  of  it  is  saved  for  cooking  other  articles. 
It  can  be  breaded  by  being  dipped  first  in  cold 
water,  and  then  in  crumbs  or  Indian-meal,  and  fried 
crisp. 

The  same  directions  apply  to  bacon,  and  both 
should  be  cut  exceedingly  thin. 

STEWED,  BAKED,  AND  BROILED  MEATS. 

Meat  may  be  stewed,  baked,  and  broiled,  much 
as  has  been  heretofore  directed  for  fish.  In  stew- 
ing, the  great  point  is  to  proceed  slowly,  and  in 
broiling  to  close  the  pores  by  burning  the  outside 
slightly  on  the  start ;  and  the  next  point  is  to  sea- 
son sufficiently,  as  both  pepper  and  salt  lose  their 
strength  in  the  presence  of  heat. 

SOUPS 

Are  made  by  boiling  a  fish  or  a  piece  of  meat  very 
slowly ;  if  salt  meat  is  used,  it  must  have  been 
boiled  previously  in  a  different  water ;  remove  the 
scum  till  no  more  rises,  add  any  vegetables,  and 
boil  till  done.  Use  a  quart  of  water  to  every  pound 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  341 

of  meat,  and  keep  the  pot  well  covered.  Rapid 
boiling  throws  off  the  volatile  portions  of  the  meat 
in  steam. 

ROAST  DUCK. 

Dip  a  duck  or  other  large  bird,  neither  cleaned  nor 
picked,  in  water  so  as  to  wet  the  feathers,  and  throw 
him  on  the  fire  or  into  the  hot  coals.  "When  the 
feathers  are  pretty  well  singed,  he  is  done,  and  the 
skin,  feathers,  and  dirt  may  be  peeled  off  together. 
A  duck  needs  little  more  than  a  thorough  heating. 
Small  birds  may  be  rolled  in  oiled  paper  and  roasted 
in  the  ashes,  or  a  bird  picked  and  cleaned  may  be 
suspended  by  a  string  near  the  fire,  and  made  to  re- 
volve by  twisting  it  up  occasionally. 

BEANS 
Should  be  soaked  over  night,  and  then  well  boiled. 

RICE. 

A  cupful  of  rice  is  thrown  with  a  pinch  of  salt 
into  enough  boiling  water  to  cover  it  well,  and  boiled 
for  fifteen  minutes.  It  must  be  soft,  but  the  grains 
should  be  separate.  The  water  is  poured  off,  and  it 
is  dished  up  hot. 

GKAVY. 

White  gravy  is  made  as  already  directed  for  fish. 
For  brown  gravy,  a  little  flour  is  heated  in  a  frying- 
pan,  and  stirred  till  it  is  brown.  It  can  be  kept  in  a 
bottle,  and  is  added  in  small  quantities  to  thicken 
the  juice  of  meat  or  soups. 


342  COOKERY   FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

TOUGH  MEAT. 

Scalding  vinegar  may  be  poured  over  tough  meat, 
which  is  left  to  stand  over  night ;  next  day  the  meat 
is  to  be  cut  into  small  pieces  and  stewed  with  season- 
ing, and  a  few  slices  of  potatoe  and  carrot. 

VEGETABLES 

Must  be  placed  in  boiling  water  with  a  pinch  of 
salt,  and  are  done  when  they  sink ;  they  must  be 
taken  up  immediately. 

WATER  SOUCHY 

Is  made  by  stewing  fish  cut  into  small  pieces  with 
chopped  parsley  and  onions,  and  some  pepper  and 
salt.  It  may  be  poured  over  toast  and  thickened 
with  flour  and  butter. 

POTTED  FISH. 

Small  fish,  cleaned  and  seasoned,  and  placed  with 
a  little  mace  in  a  pot  lined  with  paper,  are  covered 
with  melted  butter,  pressed  down,  and  baked  four 
hours  with  a  weight  on  them. 

BOILED  SALMON. 

Bleed  the  fish  the  moment  it  is  taken  by  cutting 
its  gills,  and  across  its  sides,  in  a  slanting  direction 
at  every  two  inches.  Hold  it  by  the  tail  for  a  few 
minutes  in  the  stream,  moving  it  so  as  to  encourage 
the  flow  of  blood.  Put  the  pot,  filled  with  cold 
spring  water,  on  a  brave  fire,  so  that  it  may  heat 
while  you  are  cleaning  and  scaling  the  fish.  Divide 


COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN.  343 

into  slices  through  the  backbone,  where  the  slashes 
have  already  been  made.  When  the  water  boils, 
add  a  large  bowlful  of  salt,  and  when  it  has  re- 
covered its  heat  and  is  screeching  hot,  throw  in  the 
pieces  of  salmon,  the  largest  first,  allowing  the  water 
to  recover  its  temperature  after  each.  For  fish  un- 
der nine  pounds,  allow  ten  minutes,  and  one  minute 
more  for  every  additional  pound.  Serve  with  a  lit- 
tle of  the  brine  strengthened  with  anchovy  sauce, 
or  make  a  white  gravy  of  flour  and  butter,  as  here- 
tofore directed.  Save  the  brine  for  future  use. 

TROUT  ON  FIRST  PRINCIPLES. 

Catch  your  trout,  put  a  pinch  of  salt  in  his  mouth, 
roll  him  up  in  a  few  folds  of  newspaper,  dip  the 
swaddled  darling  in  the  water,  light  a  fire,  and  place 
him  in  the  embers.  When  the  paper  chars,  take  him 
out  and  eat  him  at  once,  rejecting  the  entrails. 

KIPPERED  SALMON. 

Divide  the  fish  down  the  back  and  remove  the 
bone  ;  rub  him  with  equal  quantities  of  sugar  and 
salt,  and  a  little  pepper ;  dry  him  in  the  sun  or 
smoke.  Cut  into  thin  streaks,  and  broiled,  he  will 
be  found  good  and  appetizing. 

DANIEL  WEBSTER'S  CHOWDER. 

Four  table-spoonfuls  of  onions  fried  with  pork. 
One  quart  of  boiled  potatoes  well  mashed. 
One  and  one-half  pounds  of  ship-biscuit  broken. 
One  tea-spoonful  of  thyme. 


344        COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

One  tea-spoonful  of  summer  savory. 

One  half  bottle  of  mushroom  catsup. 

One  bottle  of  port  or  claret. 

One-half  nutmeg  grated. 

A  few  cloves,  mace,  allspice,  and  slices  of  lemon, 
and  some  black  pepper. 

Six  pounds  of  sea-bass  or  cod,  cut  in  slices. 

Twenty-five  oysters. 

The  whole  to  be  put  in  a  pot,  covered  with  an 
inch  of  water,  cooked  slowly  and  stirred  gently. 

LIVER. 

Pieces  of  deer-liver  may  be  impaled  on  a  red  cedar 
skewer,  with  a  slice  of  pork  on  top,  and  set  up  round 
a  fire,  near  enough  to  cook  slowly;  the  pork  will 
melt  and  baste  the  rest. 

GRIDDLE  CAKES 

Are  made  by  thickening  flour  with  milk  or  water, 
and  adding  an  egg  or  two,  together  with  a  pinch  of 
salt.  They  are  poured  in  ladlefuls  on  a  hot  griddle 
or  frying-pan  that  has  been  well  greased.  Rice  that 
has  been  boiled  and  left  over,  or  corn-meal  that  has 
been  scalded,  may  be  mixed  with  the  other  articles, 
and  makes  rice  or  Indian  cakes. 

CORN  BREAD. 

Two  cups  of  Indian  meal  and  one  cup  of  wheat 
flour  are  mixed  with  two  tea  spoonfuls  of  cream  of 
tartar,  to  which  is  added  one  pint  of  sour  milk  or 
of  sweet  milk  in  which  one  tea-spoonful  of  soda  has 


COOKERY    FOR   SPORTSMEN.  345 

been  dissolved,  beaten  up  with  two  eggs.  The  whole 
is  to  be  baked  one  hour.  Cream  of  tartar  is  always  to 
be  mixed  with  the  flour,  and  soda  with  the  milk,  so 
that  when  these  are  subsequently  brought  in  con- 
tact, gas  is  evolved  and  the  bread  is  rendered  light. 

SCOTT'S  CHOWDER. 

The  following  recipe  was  furnished  by  the  late 
Genio  C.  Scott,  the  well  known  author  of  the 
'  'American  Angler  " : — 

"  The  old-fashioned  iron  pot  is  the  best  to  make  it 
in,  but  in  lieu  of  it  a  copper-bottomed  saucepan,  as 
deep  as  it  is  wide,  will  answer.  First  take  your  fish 
— almost  any  kind  will  answer — but  cod  and  sea-bass 
are  the  best ;  clean  and  scale  your  fish,  and  cut  them 
into  pieces  two  inches  square  ;  parboil  a  few  onions; 
peel  a  fe\v  potatoes  and  quarter  them  ;  cut  up  some 
salt  pork  into  the  thinnest  possible  slices,  and  cover 
the  bottom  and  sides  of  your  pot  with  it  to  prevent 
your  chowder  from  burning ;  place  upon  the  pork  a 
layer  of  fish,  and  season  it  with  salt  and  a  little  black 
pepper.  (Since  I  read  'My  Peninsular  Medal,'  I 
have  been  very  chary  of  black  pepper,  for  that 
authority  states  that  it  inflames  the  stomach  without 
stimulating  it,  while  the  cayenne  pepper  stimulates 
without  inflaming;  but  a  dash  of  black  pepper  is 
useful  for  its  fragrance.)  Next,  a  layer  of  the  par- 
boiled onions  quartered ;  next,  a  layer  of  potatoes, 
and  season  the  layers ;  next,  a  layer  of  ripe  tomatoes 
sliced  and  seasoned  (tomato  requires  more  salt  than 
other  vegetables) ;  next,  a  layer  of  cracked  sea-bis- 


346  COOKERY   FOR   SPORTSMEN. 

cuit ;  next,  a  layer  of  fish  ;  then  sprinkle  this  layer 
with  infinitesimal  pieces  of  salt  pork,  but  sparingly ; 
then  your  layers  of  onions,  potatoes,  tomatoes,  and 
sea-biscuit,  with  proper  seasonings  of  each  layer; 
pour  water  enough  to  cover  the  contents  of  the  pot, 
but  no  more ;  cover  the  pot  and  place  it  on  a  slow 
fire  where  it  will  simmer  or  boil  slowly  for  an  hour 
and  a  half;  a  half  hour  before  dishing  the  chowder 
pour  upon  it  a  bottle  of  Burgundy  or  claret. 

"  In  seasoning  the  different  layers  of  the  chowder, 
tomato  catsup  will  answer  where  ripe  tomatoes  can- 
not be  had.  Sauces  are  also  introduced  sometimes, 
and  in  case  the  party  has  been  used  to  highly-sea- 
soned food,  either  Soyer,  Harvey,  or  "Worcestershire 
sauces  may  be  used  sparingly.  Many  prefer  to  sea- 
son with  a  greater  variety  of  spices  and  condiments. 
I  often  season  with  allspice;  but  camp  chowder 
should  be  simple,  and  composed  of  edibles  easily 
obtainable.  Clam  chowder  is  made  in  the  same 
manner." 

FISH-HOUSE  PUNCH. 

One-quarter  of  a  pint  of  lemon  juice,  one-quarter 
of  a  pound  of  white  sugar,  and  two  pints  and  a  half 
of  water.  One-quarter  of  a  pint  of  peach  brandy ; 
the  same  of  Jamaica  rum,  and  a  half  pint  of  cognac  ; 
the  three  latter  ingredients  mixed  separately. 

PINEAPPLE  PUNCH. 

One  slice  of  pineapple  which  has  stood  a  day 
covered  with  sugar,  two  bottles  of  port,  one  bottle 
of  champagne,  and  plenty  of  ice. 


COOKERY    FOR   SPORTSMEN.  347 

PORTO  Rico  PUNCH. 

Black  tea  and  Porto  Rico  rum,  mixed  half  and 
half,  and  sufficient  sugar,  lemon-peel,  and  ice. 

NONDESCRIPT  PUNCH. 

One  bottle  of  claret,  three-fourths  of  a  tumbler  of 
brandy,  a  claret  glass  of  Jamaica  rum,  one  bottle  of 
champagne,  ice  and  sugar. 

ARRACK  PUNCH. 

Eight  tumblers  of  Jamaica  rum,  one  and  a  half  of 
arrack,  and  one  of  lemon  juice,  which  together  with 
the  rind  of  three  lemons,  is  to  be  allowed  to  stand 
for  ten  minutes,  when  sugar  is  to  be  added,  and 
water  to  twice  the  amount  of  the  liquor. 

CHAMPAGNE  PUNCH. 

One  bottle  of  brandy,  one  of  Jamaica  rum,  and 
one  of  arrack;  three  and  a  half  pounds  of  sugar,  but 
no  water,  four  lemons  and  twelve  oranges  cut  in 
slices,  a  large  lump  of  ice.  Add  champagne  to  suit 
the  taste  immediately  before  drinking. 

REGAL  PUNCH. 

Peel  twenty-four  lemons;  steep  the  rinds  for 
twelve  hours  in  two  quarts  of  Jamaica  rum.  Squeeze 
the  lemons  on  three  and  a  half  pounds  of  loaf  sugar; 
add  two  quarts  of  dark  brandy  and  six  quarts  of 
water.  Mix  all  together  ;  add  two  quarts  of  boiled 
inilk,  stir  until  the  mixture  curdles,  strain  it  through 
a  jelly-bag  until  clear ;  bottle  and  cork. 

This  I  have  not  tried,  but  give  it  on  good  authority. 


348  COOKERY  FOR  SPORTSMEN. 

FRANK  FORESTER'S  PUNCH. 

The  rind  of  a  dozen  lemons,  two  tumblerfuls  of 
finely  powdered  sugar,  three  pints  of  pale  cognac, 
two  quarts  of  cold,  strong,  green  tea,  strained  clear, 
two  flasks  of  Curasao,  abundance  of  ice,  and  a  half 
dozen  of  champagne.  This  is  an  admirable  liquor, 
even  without  the  champagne. 

VENISON  STEW. 

Make  a  sauce  by  melting  a  lump  of  butter  with 
two  mustard-spoonfuls  of  mustard,  two  table-spoon 
fuls  of  mushroom  catsup,  and  one  of  sauce,  mango 
sauce  being  the  best ;  add  the  juice  of  half  a  lemon, 
one  wine  glass  of  sherry,  and  one  of  claret.  Heat 
the  mixture  as  hot  as  possible,  and  rub  in  two  table- 
spoonfuls  of  currant  jelly  till  the  whole  is  perfectly 
smooth;  then  take  the  venison  cut  in  steaks,  and 
previously  either  roasted  or  broiled,  and  warm  it 
thoroughly  in  the  sauce  to  which  the  juice  of  the 
meat,  if  any,  has  been  added.  Cold  meat  is  redeemed 
by  this  process. 


And  now  my  friends,  if  you  are  ever  fortunate 
enough  to  have  the  Superior  Fishing  I  have  de- 
scribed, or  if  the  author's  good-will  may  avail  even 
better,  and,  after  the  delight  and  triumph  of  success, 
the  well-earned  prize  is  brought  up  properly  upon 
the  table,  either  in  the  rough  woods  or  the  elegant 
dining-room,  and  is  flanked  by  such  appropriate 
dishes  as  circumstances  permit,  and  laid  to  rest  in  the 


COOKERY  FOR  fePORTSMEN.  349 

best  liquor  that  can  be  obtained ;  then  your  mind, 
filled  with  present  complacency,  must  travel  back 
over  these  pages,  and  forgetting  the  faults  and  par- 
doning the  errors,  acknowledge  that  if  in  them  you 
have  not  found  an  instructor,  you  have  found  a 
brother  sportsman  ;  and,  for  the  sake  of  the  bond 
that  binds  all  members  of  the  gentle  craft  together, 
if  you  cannot  conscientiously  praise  the  manner  or 
the  matter  of  these  pages,  you  will  utter  no  word  to 
discourage  an  effort  that,  while  pointing  out  and 
dwelling  upon  the  beauties  of  nature  in  our  wonder- 
ful country,  and  the  pure  attractions  it  offers  to  the 
lovers  of  our  art,  has  principally  been  to  maintain 
the  healthy  and  ennobling  nature  of  field-sports ;  to 
urge  the  protection,  at  proper  seasons,  of  the  game 
that  still  lingers  in  our  woods  and  waters ;  and  to 
elevate  to  a  proud  standard  of  honorable,  generous, 
and  merciful  rivalry  the  sportsmanship  of  America. 


THE    END. 


FLORIDA 

AND  THE 

GAME  WATER-BIRDS 

OF  THE 

Atlantic  Coast  and  the  Lakes  of  the  United  States. 

With  a  full  Account  of  the  Sporting  along  our  Sea-shores  and  Inland 
Waters,  and  Eemarks  on  Breech-Loaders  and  Hammerless  Guns, 


By  ROBERT    BARNWELL    ROOSEVELT, 

Fifth  of  North  America"  "  Si 
Much"  'k7«m«,"  "Polyanthus, 

ILLUSTRATED. 


Author  of  "  The  Game  Fifth  of  North  America."  "  Superior  Fishing,"  "  Fivt 
Acres  Too  Much,"  "7«m«,"  "Polyanthus,"  etc .,  etc. 


CONTENTS. 
PART    I.— FLORIDA. 

CHAPTER      I.— Florida.— The  Inland  Passage. 
CHAPTER    II. — In  Florida. 
CHAPTER  III.— Currituck  Marshes. 

PART    II.— THE    GAME    WATER-BIRDS. 

CHAPTER  I.— Game  of  Ancient  and  Modern  Days. — Its  Protection  and  Impor- 
tance.—The  proper  Shooting  Seasons.— The  Impolicy  of  Using  Batteries 
and  Pivot-Guns. 

CHAPTER  II.— Guns  and  Gunnery.  —  Breech-loaders  compared  with  Muzzle- 
loaders.— All  tho  Late  Improvements  in  Breech-loaders. — Hammerless  Guns. 

CHAPTER  III. — Bay-snipe  Shooting. — The  Birds,  their  Habits,  Peculiarities,  and 
places  of  Resort.  — Stools  and  Whistles.— Dress  and  Implements  appropriate 
to  their  pursuit.— Their  Names  and  Mode  of  Capture. 

CHAPTER  IV.— The  New  Jersey  Coast.— Jersey  Girls  and  their  pleasant  way?.— 
The  peculiarities  of  Bay-snipe  further  elucidated. — Mosquitoes  rampant. — 
Good  Shooting  and  *"  Fancy  "  Sport. — Shipwrecks  and  Ghosts. 

CHAPTER  V.— Bay-Bird?.  -  Particular  Descriptions  and  Scientific  Characteristics. 
— A  Complete  Account  of  each  Variety. 

CHAPTER  VI.— Montauk  Point,— American  Golden  Plover  or  Frost-Bird.— A 
True  Story  of  Three  Thousand  in  a  Flock.— Lester's  Tavern.— Good  Eating, 
Fine  Fishing,  and  Splendid  Shooting.— The  Nepeague  Beach. 

CHAPTER  VII. -Rail  and  Rail-Shootinz— Seasons,  Localities,  and  Incidents  of 
Sport.— Use  of  Breech-loader  or  Muzzle-loader.— Equipment. 

CHAPTER  VIII.— Wild-Fowl  Shooting.— General  Directions,  from  Boats,  Blinds, 
or  Batteries.— Retrievers  from  Baltimore  and  Newfoundland.— Western 
Sport.— Equipment. 

CHAPTER  IX. — Du/ik-Shooting  on  the  Inland  Lakes. — The  Club  House. — Prac- 
licil  Views  of  Practical  Men.-Moral  Tales.— A  Day's  Fishing.— The  Clos- 
ing Scenes. 

CHAPTER  X.— Suggestions  to  Sportsmen.— A  Definition  of  the  Term.— Crack 
Shots.— The  Art  of  Shooting.— The  Art  of  not  Shooting. 

CHAPTER  XL— Directions  for  Building  a  Battery. 

CLOTH.  12mo.     PRICE,  POST-PAID,  $2.00. 

ORANGE  JUDD    COMPANY, 

DAVID  W.  JUDD,  Preset.         SAMUEL  BURNHAM,  Sec. 

751    BROADWAY,    MOW    YORK. 


THE  GAME  FISH 


OF  THE 


NORTHERN  STATES  AND  BRITISH  PROVINCES, 

WITH  AN 

Account  of  the  Salmon  and  Sea-Trout  Fishing  of  Canada 
and  New  Brunswick, 

TOGETHER  WITH 

Simple  Directions  for  Tying  Artificial  Flies,  etc,,  etc, 

By    ROBERT    BARNWJBLL   ROOSEVELT, 

Author  of  '"Superior  Fishing"   '•'•Florida,  and  the  Game  Water-Birds,"   "jPVvt 
Acres  too  Much"  "Polyanthus"  etc,,  etc. 

ILLUSTRATED. 

In  the  preface  to  the  book  the  Author  says:  Having  always  been  an  en- 
thusiast  wilh  the  rod  and  gun,  attributing  to  the  sports  of  the  field  and  stream 
the  retention  of  good  health  amid  confining  and  sedentary  occupations,  I  made 
the  preparation  of  this  work  a  labor  of  love,  and  have  with  time  come  to  be 
more  than  ever  impressed  with  the  importance  of  ont-door  recreations.  Inspira- 
tion acquired  from  the  woods  and  streams,  and  vigor  earned  by  exercise  in  the 
pure  air  of  heaven  are  good  for  the  soul  as  well  as  for  the  body. 

I  was  one  of  tin;  first  to  press  on  the  State  and  National  Governments  the 
importance  of  establishing  fishery  commissions,  and  being  myself  appointed  on 
that  of  the  State  of  New  York  when  it  was  created,  in  the  year  1867,  and  having 
remained  on  it  ever  since,  I  have  necessarily  kept  up  with  the  times,  and  all  im- 
provements which  have  been  made  either  in  the  science  of  fish-culture  or  in  the 
tools  and  methods  of  fishing. 

Looking  back,  and  still  more  I  may  say,  looking  forward  to  what  the  future 
will  bring  forth,  I  have  a  right  to  claim  that  in  aiding  the  cultivation  and  protec- 
tion of  tlic  objects  of  the  sportsman's  pursuit,  and  the  means  of  his  pleasure,  ,in 
protesting  against  their  unreasonable  and  improper  slaughter,  and  in  describing 
the  most  legitimate  and  scientific  methods,  and  taking  them,  I  have  conferred 
some  advantage  upon  mankind  as  well  as  amused  some  idle  l^ours. 
PRICE,  POST-PAID,  $2.00. 

ORANGE  JUDD    COMPANY, 

DAVID  W,  JTJDD,  Preift.         SAMUEL  BUBNHAM,  Sec. 

751    BROADWAY,    NEW   YORK. 


THE  SCIENTIFIC  ANGLER, 

BEING  A 

General    and  Instructive  Work  on   Artistic  Angling. 

BY  THE  LATE 

DAVID    FOSTER, 

COMPILED    BY    HIS    SONS,    AND    EDITED    BY 

WM.  C.  HARRIS, 

EDITOR    OF    THE    "  AMERICAN    AITGLEB." 

CONTENTS.  * 

Chapter  1.'— The  Habits  and  Haunts  of 


Fish. 
2.— The  Habits  and  Kaunto  of 

Fish  (Continued). 
8.— Bottom  Fishing  (General). 
4.— Bottom  Fishing(C'oTiWnwcc). 
5.— BottomFishingC  Continued) . 
6.-Pikc  Fishing. 
7.— Spinning  for  Trout. 
8.— Worm  Fishing  for  Trout. 
9.— Grub  Fishing  for  Grayling. 


Chapter  10.— Piscatorial  Entomology. 
"       11  —On  Fly  Making. 
"      12.— Fly  Fishing  for  Trout  and 

Grayling. 

"      13.— Live  Fly  and  Beetle  Fishing. 
14.— Notes  on  the  Month  for  Fly 

Fishing. 

13.— Salmon  and  Sea  Trout  Fish- 
ing. 
"      13.— About  Hooks. 


ILLUSTRATED.    Cloth,  I2mo.     PRICE,  POST-PAID,  $1.50. 
ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY,  731  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK. 


DAVID  W,  JUDD,  Preset.         SAM*!,  BUBNEAM  Sec. 


New  Revised  and  Enlarged  Edition. 

THE    DOGS 

Of  Great  Britain,  America,  and  Other  Countries, 

Their  Breeding-,    Training-,   and    Management   in  Health  and 

Disease,  comprising-  all  the  essential  parts  of  the  two 

Standard  Works  on  the  Dos  "by 

STONEHENG-E. 

Thereby  furnishing  what  once  cost  $11.25  for  $2.00. 

It  describes  the  best  Game  and  HUNTING  GROUNDS  IN  AMERICA. 

Gives  names  of  Prize  Winners  in  Dog  Shows. 

Contains  OVER  ONE  HUNDRED   BEAUTIFUL  ENGRAVINGS,  embrac- 
ing most  noted  Dogs  in  both  Continents. 

Making  together,    WITH    CHAPTERS   BY   AMERICAN   WRITERS,  the 
MOST    COMPLETE   DOG   BOOK   EVER   PUBLISHED. 

12mo.    Tinted  Paper.    Price,  post  paid,  $2.00. 

ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY,  751  Broadway,  New  York. 


DAVID  W,  JUDD,  Preset.         BAM'L  BUENHAM  Sec. 


RETURN    CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 
TO—*    202  Main  Library 

LOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

Renewals  and  Recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  the  due  date. 

Books  may  be  Renewed  by  calling        642-3405 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 


SEP  0  8 


FORM  NO.  DD6 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 

BERKELEY,  CA  94720 

®$ 


